Stop Hiding! You Were Made to Live Fearless and Free

Sharing is caring!

What if I told you it’s time to stop hiding?

My “Gram” used to call it “putting her face on.”.

Concealer, foundation, blush, shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. Makeup.

I refuse to leave the house without it. I even wore mascara into surgery once because I couldn’t face anyone, even my surgeons, barefaced. I know, we’re supposed to go product-free, but I feel so naked and vulnerable without my lashes and lip gloss.

What about you? Do you feel naked and fully exposed without concealer and color?

I was looking in the mirror the other day, when the Lord prompted the realization that I not only put concealer on my surface flaws, but I also go out of my way to cover and hide my inner imperfections: my weaknesses and worries, pride and selfishness, bad habits and lousy motives.

I wonder how many of us have the daydream that with enough “concealer,” we can hide our sinful thoughts and attitudes. I wonder how many of us want to believe that even God won’t notice our bad, if we’re generally good.

Then I read the truth…

O God, You know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from You.

Psalm 69:5

You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

Proverbs 28:13

It’s time for each of us to stop kidding ourselves. It’s time to stop hiding who we are before God and the family of faith. Are you ready to join me and stop hiding the real you?

You see, the truth is…

Caked-on makeup and phony facades look ridiculous. Trying to hide our sinful flaws and failures doesn’t work. Hiding the truth leaves us feeling guilty and miserable. Honestly, most people probably see through our hypocrisy anyway.

Have you tried to cover up your imperfections with a shiny facade? Are you better at pointing out others’ flaws than you are at admitting your own?

I’m not suggesting we should spill every detailed thought and failure publicly. I’m saying, I want to focus on living humbly and honestly before God, asking Him to forgive me and set me free.

He already knows everything about me, and you, too. Yet, He graciously invites us to bring our fears, faults, worries, and weaknesses to Him in repentance, not for His benefit but for ours. He tells us to wash our faces and tear down our facades, admitting our overwhelming need for His mercy and grace through humble repentance.

Why? Because He loves us and wants us to love Him and the people around us.

He knows that we will love others better when we look at ourselves honestly. When we truly grasp how much God loves and forgives us, we are better equipped to love and forgive each other. Humbly forgiven people forgive. They encourage everyone to be the beautiful individuals God created them to be.

I get it. Many of us learned to “put on our faces” growing up in church. There are many in the family of faith who only accept what they deem acceptable. But that’s not what God wants. He wants us to be loving, caring, and forgiving to the broken and hurting.

So, let’s do a little soul-searching and ask…

1. Do the people at my church welcome everyone, even those with past faults and failures? Do I?
2. Do my friends and I gossip about others and call them prayer requests?
3. Do we rant about and condemn some sins while excusing others? Do I?
4. Do I act friendly and nice at church, while being demanding and critical at home or at Walmart?
5. Do I_____________________ (What would you add?)

A little uncomfortable? Me too.

That’s why it’s time for us to stop hiding behind made-up faces and shiny facades.

And we do that by…

• Admitting we are sinners who desperately need God’s mercy and grace.
• Intentionally treating each other with care and compassion.
• Being honest and humble before God and one another.
• Quickly forgiving as we have been forgiven in Christ Jesus.

I believe that with God’s help, we can be ourselves. No concealer. No facade. Just loved and forgiven, ready to love and forgive.

 Let’s pray…

A Prayer for God’s Help to Stop Hiding

Heavenly Father, I’m guilty of trying to hide behind a facade of “goodness” rather than humbly and honestly facing my flaws and failures before you and others. I make it more about the image I present than about glorifying and honoring You in obedience.

Please forgive me. I want to SEEK You and Your Kingdom. I want to live my life according to Your truth, not what the world says, but what You command. Please help me.

I want to be so honest about myself and my sin, that I am merciful and gracious to the people You place around me. I want to be patient, forgiving, and compassionate. I want to be kind and understanding.

I want to live with Jesus-like humility that serves and inspires. I want to forgive as I have been forgiven. I love You, Lord. Thank you for loving me as I am, yet patiently working around me and in me to mold me into the person You created me to be.

Please give me everything I need to trust and obey You. Help me live freely, full of Your love. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

By God’s grace, you and I can stop hiding. We have been set free in Jesus.

Paul wrote…

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 (NIV)

The Life Application Bible Notes add…

We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ [Jesus].

We don’t need to hide. We are being made into the beautiful individuals God designed to honor and glorify Him.

May we live and love as He intended, by His grace and for His glory.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!