Take Off Your Mask!!

It seems that many women sometimes struggle to be real. We act one way on the outside, when really, on the inside, we are someone else. Because we have weaknesses, faults, or fears-things about ourselves that we think make us less than perfect or less likable or desirable, we’d rather hide from other people.

  Over time, we devise masks in order to more effectively hide these blemishes from others. Some of us devise quite an intricate system of masks to cover up, hide or give others a different perception of who we really are. In fact, we’ve become so comfortable wearing these masks that we even forget we have them on.

  Our pride, shame, or fear keeps us from taking off our masks and revealing our true selves to others, even those we love. The thought of shedding the layers of deception and defense and standing expose to the world, so everyone can see our faults, weaknesses, or fears—is simply too much to bear.

  The need to be accepted and liked is born in all of us. This desire is so strong in us that we do almost anything to achieve it. In fact, when we were children, if we felt that we were not being loved or accept the way we were, we would change. We would completely reinvent ourselves. We would put on a mask or, like a chameleon, change our outer appearance and attitudes so we could fit in better with our surroundings. But inside that chameleon stays the same — it can’t change what it is. The same is true of women… we can change the outside, but no matter how many masks we wear, we can’t change who we really are deep down inside.

   The danger of wearing these masks, of course, is that it misrepresents us. What other people see is a lie. It’s not who we are… who we were born to be. By the time we reach adulthood, we’ve had years of experience in this type of role-playing and covering up. Our masks have become as comfortable as an old pair of slippers, and we’ve lost touch with who we really are. We’ve spent so many years hiding that we’ve forgotten those things about ourselves that make us different and special.

   What a shame! What a waste! Each of us---you, me, and every woman—is uniquely created by a loving father who rejoices in our individuality. In fact, those distinctive things about us, not our “sameness” make us special to Him.

   The little girl with freckles, the young lady with the dimples, the beloved gray-headed grandmother with the sweet smile---they all stand out. . .they’re special! And you’re special too!

  Sure, we all have fears and weaknesses. We’re all less than perfect and wish we were better. But you need to know that God loves you just the way you are right now, and His love for you will never diminish. But wait! There’s even more good news. Second Corinthians 3:18 says that “all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another.”

  This means that when you believe and cooperate with God’s good plan for your life, He will help you to let down the defenses you’ve had up for so long. God created you, and He knows your fears and weaknesses. He knows how badly you want to fit in…to hide your faults and mistakes, but His love is powerful enough to reach beyond all those things and touch your soul. Welcome His touch; feel His acceptance. Trust Him enough to take off your mask and look into the mirror of His word—there you will find that you are being changed, little by little, into the very image of your lord!