Too often we suffer in silence. It has to stop. I hid behind the guise of having it all together for as long as I can remember. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, it became ingrained in me to smile and play the part instead of being honest about where I was mentally. emotionally, and spiritually.
I thought keeping everything to myself was protecting me, but I was actually holding the weapon.
I suffered through years of anxiety, loneliness, and other attacks on my mental health on my own. I told no one. I showed no one. I can remember crying almost every day for years and no one knew. I would come to church crying, go to the bathroom to hide my tears, and go home in the same downcast state. I thought it was working for me. I didn’t know that my habit of concealing my pain was a form of self-depravation.
Keeping all my thoughts and feelings to myself only fueled the inner narrative I was building. I don’t know about you, but if I allow my mind to run it will run and run WILD. Feelings trigger thoughts, thoughts create narratives, narratives become perspectives, and perspectives shape reality. I felt alone and trapped. I thought no one cared and people had problems of their own to focus on. I told myself my strength was in my ability to stand alone. It was all a lie, built on unmanaged feelings and a false reality.
God reminded I am not all-knowing, only He is. If God uses people are a resource, then so should I.
Why do we only trust the voice of a prophet? Or our pastors and other leaders? The same Holy Spirit that resides within them also lives in us. Their notoriety or title does not upgrade their dosing of the Holy Spirit. There’s only one Holy Spirit. If you trust that God is speaking to you, trust that He also speaks to and through your trusted community.
Friends have the advantage of proximity and familiarity. The ones already around you are within arms reach. No appointments or referrals are needed. If you select the right friends you have an arsenal in your artillery. Your friendships can be the well of resources for your benefit - a listening ear - an intercessor - a believer equipped with the sword of the word. You don’t have to fight alone. There’s an army available for you.
I’m not saying spill all your dirty laundry to any and everybody. There is wisdom to be applied when deciding who to open up to and when, but that’s a whole different conversation. What I am saying is that no man is an island. It’s okay to need help sometimes. Look at Moses, who led the people out of captivity in Egypt. The legacy of his work for the Lord is referred to often to this day. Moses accomplished a lot on behalf of the Kingdom of God, and guess what, there were times that He needed help.
Exodus 17 - The battle of Israel against the Amalekites. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
To win Moses needed to keep his hands and staff raised. Moses was a human man, it was inevitable that his arms got tired. He needed to keep his arms up but was running low on strength. Aaron and Hur were already with Moses. Their proximity allowed them to see he needed support. The Bible doesn't indicate that Moses asked for help. Aaron and Hur saw his need and stepped up to support him and gave him a place to rest until the battle was won. The right people will step up without being asked, you just have to let them. Give someone else the opportunity to support you when you’re weak. Let them help you win your battles.
I want to encourage you to
Surround yourself with people who help to better you. Embrace constructive criticism. Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Seek wise counsel. Surround yourself with a variety of people who can offer different perspectives and insights. Proverbs 15:22 – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Recognize that your perspective is not the only valid one and be willing to consider alternative viewpoints. Proverbs 12:15 – A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.
Be willing to receive encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Take heed to warnings. Draw upon the wisdom of those who have faced similar situations and listen to their advice to avoid repeating their mistakes. Ezekiel 33:8 – Suppose I say to a wicked person, ‘You wicked person, you will certainly die,’ and you say nothing to warn him to change his ways. That wicked person will die because of his sin, and I will hold you responsible for his death.
Submit to being built up in Christ. Allow yourself to trust in the positive intentions of those who offer encouragement and support. Understand that their input can help you grow and improve, and it is not a reflection of your worth or abilities. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
Stop keeping secrets for the devil. Today let’s come out of partnership with hiding behind the smile. Tell the truth so you can receive the truth.
Pray with me -
Father thank you for your grace and mercy that preserved us up to this point. We confess that we have hidden behind masks, concealing our pain and struggles. But today, we surrender these burdens to You. Teach us to trust in You and in the community You have placed around us. Heal every place wounded by past experiences with people and guide us in selecting the right confidants. Release us from the belief that we must stand alone. Empower us to walk in authenticity and support one another on this journey. Thank you for the strength to trust again.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comentarios