driven society , we live in a world that fosters false community through social media . I believe women have never felt more ‘ connected ’ or ‘ followed ,’ yet more alone . We see the prettiest , happiest and most exciting two minutes of someone else ' s day flash across our screens and judge ourselves through that window . It ' s a recipe for failure , comparison and self-doubt .
During his three years of public ministry Christ allowed us to see the highs and lows of life on this earth , not just the miracles but the disappointment and rejection . I want women and men to understand that much of what we allow to be seen on social media is smoke and mirrors . Real life is bringing all that ' s true about us — the good , the bad , and the ugly — into the gracefilled space of the love and mercy of God . I would rather be known and loved by ten people than followed by a thousand .
If you ’ re hurting or disappointed or angry or sad but you see everyone else around you seeming to have it all together — even those who are facing difficult circumstances — you begin to wonder : What ’ s wrong with me ?”
God gave us communities so we could help each other ; but we aren ’ t helping each other if we hide our struggles or shame those who tell their darkest truths .
Why do you think we guard our deepest hurts , even from God ?
Sheila : The greatest desire of every human heart is to be fully known and fully loved but we ’ re so afraid to bring all of who we are to the table in case we are rejected . From an early age , we ’ re taught that being strong means holding it all together . We ’ re taught that sharing our weaknesses to the world will cause harm and open ourselves to criticism and pain . And , sadly , too often , sharing secrets and shame in the church begets more shame , which leads to more secret keeping . It ’ s a vicious cycle . But the relentless love of Christ pursues us through all our secret shame . Jesus didn ’ t do life alone and we ’ re not meant to either . I believe we all need a couple of safe people that we can be open and real with .
You talk about “ entering a safe place with God .” Would you explain what you mean by this ?
Sheila : We begin by telling God the truth , the whole truth . He is our safe place . There is no judgement , there is no shame , there is no rejection . If you are willing to lay all of your pain and hurt and loss and shame at His feet you ’ ll discover there is only God ’ s love for you . Nothing that affects you is petty to God .
We can tell anything to God — hurt , grief , anger , shame , secrets , etc . He can handle whatever we have to say , and telling it straight strengthens our relationship with Him . ( And of course ,
68 Solutions