Removing the Mask | How to Embrace the Real You

Have you ever felt as if you don’t know who the real you is?

Like maybe, the girl inside you has been hiding for some time?

Could it be that you’ve been hiding behind a mask. Afraid to show the real you.

Afraid of what others might think if they really got to know you.

What mask have you been hiding behind, my friend?

Is the real you hiding behind a mask of…

1. Self-confidence

This is a very popular and well-sought after mask. It’s in high demand. Wearing this mask makes us feel powerful, confident and in control. And that’s just what we want, right?

 

Is the real you hiding behind a mask of…

2. Self-reliance

This is another highly desirable mask. When you wear this one, you don’t need anyone else. You are self-sufficient and independent. When difficulties come, you don’t have to turn to anyone else. You can figure things out on your own. Or can you?

 

Is the real you hiding behind a mask of…

3. Self-deception

This mask is probably one of the hardest to take off.  In fact we may not even know that we’re wearing it at all. When wearing this mask we become so blind that we don’t even see ourselves clearly and sometimes we even forget who we were before the mask.

When I think of the mask of self-deception, it reminds me of the character Haman in the book of Esther.  Haman had lofty goals. He wanted to be king. He was so busy trying to swindle his way to the top that he didn’t see his downfall happening right before him. As a result, the trap Haman set for his enemy was used for him instead. Ouch. What a fall!

What’s the big deal?

You might be thinking, ‘except for that last one, these masks don’t sound so bad after all’. Well here’s the problem: the Father of Lies has tricked you into believing that no one will truly love you if you take off your mask. This is so far from the truth.

The more you believe this lie, the further you alienate yourself from others, the happier Satan is. He wants you to feel all alone. He doesn’t want you to embrace the real you.

These three masks also trick me into believing that:

• I don’t need God
• I don’t need others
• Others don’t need me 

Some Mask-Lifting Truths

How can you beat these lies and embrace the real you? How can you finally stop hiding behind a mask? I think about Jesus in Luke 4:1-13. When He was tempted, Jesus combated Satan’s lies with the word of God. He found the strength to stand amidst very real temptations by relying on God’s word. That’s exactly what we must do in order to take off our masks and reject Satan’s lies.

To help us keep the masks off, here are some scriptures we can trust:

Jeremiah 1:5. The good news is that we have a Saviour who not only made us exactly the way we are, but He also loves us just the way we are. Knowing that He has a purpose that only I can fulfill makes me feel special and no longer like I need to be someone else.

It’s wonderful to know that God loves me unconditionally! With all of my flaws, all of my weaknesses, all of my shortcomings. He simply loves me! And because He does, I can be free to be the wonderful me He created. No more masks required!

2 Corinthians 3: 16-18. When we turn to God, we are free to be ourselves. By taking the mask off we are able to truly reflect God’s glory. Plus, He helps by transforming us daily, so we feel less and less tempted to put the mask back on.

Romans 8:37-39. Nothing that we do can separate us from God’s love. No matter how we might try to run away, He is still there loving us. It’s so amazing knowing that He gives us the power to overcome anything, including our insecurities.

Matthew 11: 28. Let’s face it, wearing a mask is burdensome. Pretending to be someone or something that we’re not, is quite tiring. We can find rest for our souls when we lay our masks before Christ. This freedom allows us to be ourselves around others and build deep and meaningful relationship where we can thrive.

So, what are you waiting for? Won’t you join me and take off your mask? I’m ready to let the real me shine through! What about you?

How about you?

What holds you back from being you? How can we help each other feel free to be ourselves? What scriptures encourage you to be the real you before God and others?

Let me know in the comments below.

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