Are you hesitant to be yourself around new people?
Why do we think it is easier to “fake it ’til you make it”?
We have all been there.
BUT…
God has other plans for each of us.
“…don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4 NIV
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2 NIV
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Isn’t it better to be your real authentic self and a good example of who Christ calls you to be than to be a hypocrite whose fake persona causes others to doubt the goodness of God?
I pray you will be blessed as you pursue “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” Philipians 4:8 NIV
My Life in Our Father's World 
Agreed, if we profess to be Christians, we should speak and behave that way all the time.
The world has different thoughts about “being yourself,” which is to behave however you FEEL at the moment. The world says if you feel angry and don’t act angry, you’re not being authentic. But feeling angry and still acting in a loving way isn’t being hypocritical. A hypocrite, by definition, is someone who acts like someone (s)he’s not, but a Christ-follower acting like a Christ-follower is acting like what they are; feelings are secondary. (I hope that makes sense.)
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I understand perfectly. Letting our emotions control our actions can lead to sin.
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Good thought, Barb! As a card carrying “pleaser” I need to look to please God first.
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You got this!
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Excellent, relatable post! 💜
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😊
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Amen! Such a great message based on the word of God
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Yes, don’t put on a mask. Always liked that scripture passage in Phillipians.
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I chose once to put on the mask
of who I’d rather be,
and I sought the Lord to ask
that He’d make that mask me.
He frowned a bit, then scratched His head,
and then replied, “OK,
but I really, really dread
to see you wear it every day,
’cause I made you, you know, unique,
and if it’s that you hide
in favor of that which you seek,
and keep my work inside,
then how’m I gonna know your face
when you approach My throne of grace?”
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Oh my heart 💔
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Good verses to back up this encouragement!!
Thankful Jesus is the real deal, setting the perfect example of how we should live our lives.
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Y E S !!!
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Such good words here, Barb. And I so appreciate the verses you share! Living authentically is so healthy for us but sometimes also so difficult.
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Amen!!
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