The real mask i wear

Matthew 18:20 (NIV): “ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

For the last year, everywhere I went people were wearing masks. It was The Year of Covid 19.  Masks were required. I bought many different masks to wear.  Polka dots. Stripes.  I even bought one with bumblebees on it.  As I look at all these masks I have in my drawer, I think about all the masks I have put on throughout my life that I didn't even realize. 

​For example:  
The mask of “That didn’t hurt me”.
The mask of  “Of course I have the time to do that for you I’m not that busy".
The mask of  “I am not lonely, I have many friends”.
But the most popular mask I tend to wear is the mask of  “I’m okay.  I’m fine.  I can handle it.  Don’t worry about me.” 

​All these different masks I put on have caused me pain and frustration.  So I asked myself, “why did I put on these masks”?  I have lied to myself for years.  I have been telling myself that I have to put on a perfect face to the world around me.  I need to make everyone think:   “I’m okay.  I don’t have any struggles or hurts. I have everything under control.”   Why do I do this? Is it because I was afraid everyone would think there was something wrong with me or maybe judge my walk with God.  

I realized I was doing exactly what Satan wanted me to do.  I was isolating myself from other women because I was not being real with them.  I told myself they would not understand what I was going through because they have their lives all together.  Satan wanted me to feel like I was the only one who has ever walked this road.  I was feeding into the lie that I have to tell everyone that I am okay. 

​When I look in God’s word, He tells me I need to share with others. In Galatians 6:2 (NIV), “Jesus tells us to Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. When I share with others my struggles, my hurts, and the uncertainties in my life, I stop Satan from isolating me.   I am more powerful for God when I share everything that is going on because I am not hiding any more.    

God also says in Matthew 18:20 (NIV): “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  God wants us to gather together.  He wants us to do life together.  To be real with each other.  Because when we are, we are mighty and powerful for him. He knows when we come together we can do so much more for him. 

Let’s take a look at Mary and Elizabeth.  Mary went to visit Elizabeth when they were both pregnant and it says that she stayed for three months.  They did life together.  They walked side by side with each other as they did the chores around the house.  And I believe that during this time, they shared their hearts with each other. They were both about to become mothers, one at an early age and one at an old age.  They both were going to be mothers of sons that would change the world.  Can you imagine their uncertainties and worries as they thought about raising their babies for God? I believe that they shared with each other, so they could help each other be stronger as mothers.  

This is what God tells us we are supposed to do. We are supposed to share our fears and struggles.  He is telling me that I need to take off this mask that I am wearing.  I need to let you see the real me.  To let you know when I feel scared, uncertain, or that I need help. He wants me to look at you and notice when you are telling me, “I’m fine” when you’re really not.  He wants us girlfriends to come together in a way that will make us so powerful for Him.  He has mighty plans for us women.  And when we come together in the midst of all that is going on around us, we defeat Satan and we WILL do mighty things for God.