Be transparent
Have you ever wanted to disappear or withdraw from others?
When I was a child, video games, cell phones, and social networking apps did not exist. You’re right...I was born in the Stone Age. Not really, but I do remember seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan show, and our TV had only three stations. We didn’t have the forms of entertainment kids do today, so we played games a lot. One of our favorite games was hide-and-seek. We’d play for hours and hours. It was thrilling finding your friends in the closet or successfully hiding under a dead tree.
friend, have you ever played hide-and-seek? Has this game ever filtered into your real life? I know it sounds crazy, but it’s one of the most common syndromes that I’ve ever had to deal with as a counselor. Many people spend their days hiding their real selves. They put on appearances. They hide their weaknesses. They withdraw when they are struggling. Have you ever suffered from the hide-and-seek syndrome?
The Apostle Paul once said, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV) Paul bragged about his weaknesses, but we hide them. We often suffer from shame or unresolved guilt.
friend, personal growth starts with being more open and transparent. Please try three important steps:
- Find authentic relationships where you can be transparent.
- Give freedom to others to be human and fallible.
- Practice unconditional self-acceptance and above all, receive the unconditional love of the Father.
friend, you are safe in the love of God. Please build relationships that are also safe. You can choose to practice a role of self-preservation, or you can choose transparency. You are a miracle, and miracles are real.
