Quite frequently, there is a tricky feeling we experience but have a much harder time identifying. It is better than other feelings at hiding or disguising itself. It leads us to to live like we are at one giant masquerade party, where everyone is wearing a mask, yet no one daring to take them off, showing what is really underneath. We hide behind our masks based on what we feel would be acceptable to the world around us.
However, when these masks are peeled away, and this chameleon of a feeling becomes exposed, we find it's real name is shame. Shame works so hard to stay hidden because once it is identified, the extent of its impact becomes unleashed. It can be an unbearable wrath. Shame can feel like death and believes it is useless, not good enough, or unacceptable. It anticipates being abandoned once others see behind it's mask. At times, shame can be so intense that the body can't tolerate it when initially exposed. This can lead to violence, suicide, and addiction, among other self-sabotaging behaviors.
One of the many masks we use to deal with shame is the mask of numbness. We can numb in all kinds of creative ways, such as consuming tech, substances, food, or remaining consumed with work, perfection, or even thrill seeking. However, all of these strategies when used to avoid shame, only work for immediate gratification, provoking temporary relief, but only in exchange for bigger, more painful problems that require more high stakes consequences and efforts to overcome.
The good news is that there is a God who already sees behind your mask despite your best efforts to hide, and accepts you as you are, despite all the fears you may have of being rejected. He wants to help you break free from the burden of carrying the weight of your masks and give you peace, removing the need to hide any longer.
Today's Prayer and Reflection:
Jesus, I come to you now, asking for the strength to remove my mask and reveal what is hidden underneath. Heal me from the fear of living in the truth of what is going on within me. Help me to accept myself as you accept me. I ask you to move upon my life with your love that brings deliverance and healing. In your name, Jesus, I break every false mask that hides the true authentic person God made me to be. I choose now to be free from the fear of not being good enough and I declare because of God's supernatural love for me that I am more than enough! I choose right now to take my fulfillment in Christ and break all other lies and harmful agreements I have made with shame. In Jesus' matchless name...Amen!
Scripture Reflection:
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