I’m okay, we often tell ourselves, but are we? We tend to put on a fake facade when we come to church because we don’t want people to see who we really are. After all, we have a reputation to uphold. We want others to see us as being all put together, a perfectly wrapped package with a beautifully tied bow.
Inside, however, we are lying to ourselves and to others. Nor are we being truthful with God about our struggles. We’re not telling God that we’re hurting, struggling, and that the battle we’re fighting is becoming too much for us. We do not admit to God that we’re fighting so much and feel we’re one step away from waving the white flag of surrender. Instead of giving the battle to God, we continue to fight alone, knowing that the end will only mean a casualty—our casualty.
Once again, the enemy wins because we are more worried about how people see us than we are about admitting we are struggling. We put on the fake facade of “I’m okay” and refuse to give the battle to God, even though He said it was His (II Chronicles 20:15). At some point, that facade begins to show cracks like a broken window. We try to hide it or cover it up, but the cracks only grow bigger. After a while, the glass will shatter and will show who we really are.
The lies we told ourselves and believed will begin to unravel. We find ourselves at the altar breaking down, but we’re too embarrassed to lift our heads. We don’t want to fall apart. We don’t want others to see our vulnerability and imperfection. We don’t want them to see us as weak, but Paul said, “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Corinthians 12:10).
It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to admit to a sister in the church that you are not okay. Our struggles should not be seen as a sign of weakness. They tell us that as humans, we are not immune to struggles, hardships, or difficulties. The disciples struggled, and John the Baptist had doubts as well. As people of God, we face daily struggles, but our hope is found in Christ. Jesus has the answers to all our problems. Our strength comes from the Lord.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2, KJV)
If you are struggling, it’s time to break those chains. Call out to God. Reach out to a sister and tell her you’re struggling and need her prayers. Deuteronomy 32:30 tells us that one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight.
Be true to who you are in Christ, a daughter of the King. If you struggle with your identity or self-image, remember that perfection comes from God. He is perfect, but we can be perfected through Him. You don’t try to be something that you’re not to please anyone. God made you after His own image, and He makes no mistakes. Daughter of the king, pull down that fake wall of perfection and put on the image of Christ.
“To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
(Isaiah 61:3, NKJV)
