Behind The Mask
One of the things that I don’t wear much these days when going out is lipstick. And the reason is quite simple, my mask will get stained. I always keep it handy though for when I really want to use it. But that’s the honest truth, I don’t want to deal with the mess behind the mask. Besides, what’s the point if your lips are going to be hiding behind a mask, right? Sometimes in life, it’s just easier to hide behind the mask.
What isn’t exposed cannot be diagnosed
It’s easier to hide behind the mask so you don’t have to deal with the mess behind the mask
It’s become increasingly easier to conceal unwanted areas in our lives. And although it may work for a while, it eventually comes knocking on our door like an unexpected houseguest visit. We are left confronting what we’ve been pushing away for so long. You see, what isn’t exposed cannot be diagnosed, what is not seen is not treated. And what is hidden will never be healed. Many times we tend to sweep our issues under the rug thinking it will one day magically disappear. Friends, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s time to confront what has been tucked away for so long. You can’t continue to hide hurt if you’re truly seeking healing. My question for you today is: What’s hiding behind your mask? What are the issues that need to be dealt with, right now? What are the things that must be exposed and brought to the light so that you can finally move on? What’s the unbearable pain, not just physical but emotional, mental, and spiritual pain you are masking-alone because you can’t bear the thought of others seeing you without your mask? I must admit, these are hard questions to ask but oh, so necessary because they require us to take a deep and hard look into ourselves first.
Our society has done a great job in facilitating “masking tips” so that we can be perceived by others as having it all together. There are great concealers out there to help eliminate dark circles under your eyes, foundation to make your skin look smoother and even cover up any imperfections we may have. There are so many beauty tips that help you achieve the “perfect” look but its only for a short while-eventually the makeup comes off. When taking pictures there are endless filters that will accommodate your preference. Sadly, nowadays we need filters to make us feel beautiful and secure about ourselves. Let me just say that the devil is a liar! Before we continue, allow me to reassure you of something, you are beautifully and wonderfully made by our Creator and Heavenly Father (Psalm 139:14). You don’t need a filter or makeup to enhance your beauty or to validate your worth, you are more than enough!….got it? Ok, let's proceed.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of the word mask is “a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise”. Unfortunately, social media contributes hugely in creating snapshots of what perfection should look like. That is why there are so many beautiful and successful people who portray happiness and a perfect life when the reality is that they are completely miserable. But they are able to get away with it because they’ve managed to mask their mess very well. This is very damaging to the generation coming up because we are teaching them a false reality. A social media reality. Let me tell you that even reality tv is not real, these shows are scripted and edited to the producers’ liking. It’s not real. Some of those instagram worthy posts are not even real. Many have taken a selfie with a beautiful smile and have captioned it something like “best day ever”. And after it’s posted, they go in a corner and start crying because it’s really the “worse day ever”. It’s time to take the mask off. Or couples who have posted a picture of themselves appearing to be the happiest they’ve ever been with a caption of “date night with the best guy ever” (emoji heart) but the reality is the relationship is on the brinks and they really can’t stand each other. TIt’s time for the mask to come off. Social media for many is a mask where we show only what we want, our highlight reels. For others, work, career or ministry is their mask. They’ve built this reputation and the mask has to stay on because “what will they think if they found out how messy things are right now? I have to keep my mask on, it’ll protect me”. While you protect one area, other areas are susceptible. Remember what I said earlier, what isn’t exposed, cannot be diagnosed. And if you are seeking healing in any area of your life, the mask must come off and you must heal from what you hurt.
A few days ago I wrote this: “It’s okay not to be okay. The quicker you acknowledge it, the sooner you can relieve yourself of the unnecessary weight of expectations others have of you. Not every season is a mountaintop experience and that’s okay. Growth takes place in the valley where our greatest lessons are learned.”
There is so much pressure to “perform” to be perfect in the eyes of others that you neglect to take care of who really matters- you!
Don’t hide behind perfection, it will consume you.
Don’t hide behind your past, make peace with it and move on.
Don’t hide behind your fears, it will paralyze you.
Don't hide behind comparison, it will steal your joy.
Don't hide behind shame, there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
Don’t hide behind failure, the greatest lessons are learned from it.
Don’t hide behind pain, purpose is birthed.
Don’t hide behind comfort, you will stunt your growth.
Don’t hide behind (insert your mask) because change can happen.
Find a safe haven in which you can be YOU, the real you and take off your mask. This should be a safe and judgement-free zone where you completely feel comfortable and are trusting of the people around you. They will see you for who you are and will help you overcome the challenges you are facing. Also, when the help is made available, don’t turn it down. Remember, you trust them for a reason and they should have your best interest at heart. It’s important to not only take off the mask but to make sure it stays off, and this requires action on your part. Nothing will ever change if you don’t put forth the effort for change to take place.
Living life behind a mask is not living. It’s not real. And you shouldn’t settle for it. There is more out there for you and God wants you to experience complete freedom and enjoy to the fullest the wonderful life He has gifted you with. I encourage you today to take a deep look into the things that lie behind your mask. Expose them, confront them, and move on from them. God has so much more in-store for your life but you cannot walk into your future if you still have things lingering from the past. I pray that God gives you the strength and wisdom to work through each of them. The process of unmasking will look different for everyone, so don’t compare your journey to others. For some it may be a quick fix, for others it will be a bit more complex and that is okay, focus on what’s behind your mask. I know it’s easier to hide behind the mask so you don’t have to deal with the mess behind the mask. It takes work, a lot of work and you must be willing to put in the work but if you do, you will see change….whatever is behind your mask, leave it behind.
Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!
~landypf