“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6)
Not too long ago, I recall being in a Bible study and the matter of identifying someone who is genuinely honest at all times came up. The conversation ebbed and flowed in such a way that by the time the study had come to an end, I had to confess and verbalize that I had not always been honest with my own self.
It’s interesting because I realized that for the greater part of the past 13 years of my life, I had always been overly concerned about what others – including my husband, his family, my children, my neighbors and my church family thought or said concerning me. It was at this juncture that I made the resolve that no longer would I be true to others and not be true to myself. That was sheer dishonesty because whenever I would make certain decisions or say or do certain things that were contrary to who I inherently was, I would be left with wrestling with the negative emotions that accompanied not being true to myself.
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
(Psalm 118:6).
I realized that in the face of fear, in essence, I became someone else. I also realized that my Heavenly Father wants me and all of us to be consistent at all times. So from that moment, by His grace, I made the determination to step out from that place and face the reality of who I am in His eyes and not be as concerned about who others want me to be. I have been liberated in my mind and have finally accepted the fact that I am created uniquely me, that only His opinion of me really counts in the end, and that means so much in how I choose to live my life for Him each and every day and relate to others!
I pray that if you have found yourself in the same predicament of wearing different masks to suit the occasion, ask God to help you to be who He wants you to be at all times. He will hear and answer your cries for help. I am a testament to that fact.
