Being yourself!

Ok so I figured I would write a blog post this time a little differently, then I have in the passed! My previous ones have been more like a journal! Journaling what I did during the day in Ecuador, what God was showing me and how He was speaking to me! 

This post I thought I would take a different approach and write a topic of something that has been on my mind and what I've been working through in my life! So we will call this post...

BEING YOURSELF! 

Let's start off with a few questions! What's it mean to be yourself? 

When do you be yourself? 

Why is it so scary to be yourself? 

What are your fears about being yourself? 

How do you be yourself? 

Do you know who or what it looks like to be yourself? 

I'm sure most of you are like me answered those questions in your head! Did you like you answers? 

So let's start with who you are! Who am I!?! In Genesis 1:26 it says that we were made in God image! That means each of us have a piece if God in us! Think about that! The bible also says that we were planned way before we were born! (Ps 139:16!)

Ok so now comes the question what are we afraid of and how do we get passed it? 

Are you afraid of being judged? Or maybe you are afraid that no one will like you! I know personally I have gone through all these questions and answers in my life, and truth be told I'm still going some of them! My gut instinct is to put up walls and let no one in to protect myself but in the passed 2 months I'm learning to not put up those walls and to let God protect me. 

But what's cool and reassuring and very comforting is that when you look to God for self esteem to be yourself He is faithful!

 However, His faithfulness says nothing about it being easy! It's as hard as hell! But also in the bible God encourages us many times that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut 31:6, Heb 13:5) and also that He will give us the strength to do it! (Phil 4:13). 

Finding and using God confidence instead of self confidence I believe helps and makes it easier to be comfortable being yourself! 

The truth is tho if we aren't ourselves all the time not only are others confused on who we really are but in turn we confuse ourselves too! It's like you almost forget who you really are! I know I personally am afraid to me myself sometimes cuz I am always worried about what people think, those are the times when God stops me in my thinking and asked me what's more important?  What I see and think of you or what other see and think of you! Ultimately it matters what God thinks but again I know that doesn't make it easier! I know what you are probably thinking! But people are tangible, you can feel them, you can see them, you can hear their voice, and have an actual conversation with people! And you are right! But we gotta look at the bigger picture! And I am guilty of not doing this myself! People come and go out of your life but God is faithful! And honestly if people can't see or like you the way you are, are they really worth having around? 

Probably not! 

Another thing if we aren't ourselves people just like you, will not know the real you! And you will always have to wear masks and remember which mask to wear, and when! Are you hiding behind a mask? If so why!?! And are you willing to take that mask off! 

If you keep masks on you are depriving the people of knowing the real you that was created in the image of God! Are you willing to be volunerable today! Are you willing to be real? To be yourself! It's not easy! No where in the bible does it say that everything will be easy when you come to Christ! Rest assured tho that you are not alone! We all struggle with fears and worries about being ourselves! 

This morning I came across a prayer of obedience that I believe fits in with this, so I am going to close with that! 

Prayer for Obedience:

 "Thank You for leading me, God. I pray that Your strength and wisdom would be with me as I make decisions that follow Your path. Help me to put Your Word to the test in my life so that my obedience will be a blessing to everyone who sees You working in me. Lord, help me to stay focused on You so the obstacles that come up won't seem impossible to overcome. I know all things are possible through You, and I thank You for the privilege of doing any small task that brings You glory. Let my name be forgotten, Lord, and Yours be remembered. Amen."  

If you take anything outta reading this post I pray you take away that you are not alone, that you are special, that when you are yourself it can be scary as heck but totally worth it! 

ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE OFF THE MASKS!?!