How to Safely Remove Your Mask

Inside: What kind of mask do you wear? Those feelings or problems that you don’t want others to see. Hiding behind the disguise feels safe, doesn’t it?

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What kind of mask do you wear? 

It’s covering those feelings or problems that you don’t want others to see.

Hiding behind the disguise feels safe, doesn’t it? We don’t have to be the real us with the mask secured on our face.

When we hide, we get a brief reprieve from the broken and authentic us.

My Mask

A few years ago, anxiety showed up. Panic attacks and fear kept me away from everything and became my new way of life. At that time, I didn’t know I was suffering from anxiety.

Confusion surrounded me as to what was going on, and I couldn’t explain it. Therefore,  I put on a mask and isolated myself because I felt like a broken wreck.

As a result, I was frustrated with God and this hodgepodge surrounding me. Many times, I asked him why he did this to me. He seemed absent, and my pleadings went unanswered.

When I was in the midst of anxiety and panic, I was desperate for normal life. Frantic and frenzied, I needed to find the magic bullet to make it stop and go away. I’d spend time on the internet reading what others had tried, or what supplements they’d taken to ease symptoms.

Nothing seemed to help therefore, I felt stuck and hopeless.

I’m Not Alone

I know I am not alone. There are others out there frantically searching for some piece of normalcy, or some encouragement to get through this. I want to honestly and authentically unmask this mess and show you that you have the ability to trust God.

Are you afraid that others won’t like what they see?

 Can I reassure you that God loves you broken and messy?

It’s important to realize, Jesus’ whole message was to clean up what we’ve created. Many times those parts of us we hide are actually where He wants to use us.

Can I tell you a secret?

Masks block His message.

It must be remembered, the hard parts are sometimes the greatest testaments to others. God doesn’t want us to keep it hidden.

When we remove the mask, His message becomes meaningful.  In fact, my brokenness craves God.

My mess and His message are working together.

(2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT).

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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