Transformational Thought
Get real! That college is out of your league. Be real! That girl is way too pretty for you. Wake up! You’ll never play on that team, get that part, make that band, get that job, close that deal, take that kind of trip.
How many times have we heard expressions like “get real” or “wake up”? How many times have we said them to ourselves? How many times have we silently thought them when our children made grandiose statements or shared impossible dreams? In the past, it was hard at time to see who I truly was and actually get real with myself. Why is this so hard for us? Why is it so difficult to face ourselves, to see who we really are?
I know one good reason—the enemy, Satan, likes it this way. He tries to plant seeds of deception, pain and sinfulness in our minds—lenses of self-hatred instead of acceptance of God’s love. His corrupt world system pushes our emotional buttons and interferes with our ability to interpret God’s omniscient and loving sovereignty in an accurate way.
Another factor hindering us is that it’s painful to see who we really are. At least it was for me. It was easier to think I was important, talented, bright, nice—blah, blah, blah—than to see my insecurities, inadequacies, mistakes and needs. It’s even harder to face the major uphill battles and do the work necessary to overcome our issues. This is where our dysfunctional habits, vices and addictions swoop in to soothe our discomfort and pain. The best way to face ourselves—to be real with ourselves—is to remember that as Christians, we are constantly clothed in Jesus’ robe of righteousness.
God knows exactly what sins, weaknesses and blemishes you try to hide underneath the faultless garment of salvation that covers and erases all. And He rejoices over you with singing—just imagine that—God singing over you!
Today, know that your Lord longs for you to trust Him enough to be fully yourself with Him. Being real with your God allows Him to bring out the very best in you. When you are real, He can work on your weaknesses. Pray about one thing you have never really opened up to Him. Let light into that area of your life. This pushes the darkness out. Then real healing and transformation can occur. Whether you continue the cover up and hide your weaknesses from yourself and God or you get real and allow His healing Light in to those deep places, it’s your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to grow the gifts that You planted in my soul. I want to be real with You, Lord. But this is a painful experience for me because first I have to be real with myself. It seems easier for me to ignore how I’m feeling rather than face my misery head on. I pray, Father, that You help me stop numbing my discomfort and negative feelings with my sinful diversions. Give me the courage, Father, to face myself so that I can be real with You. Thank You, Father. I pray in the name of the One who died so I could be real in Your presence, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say AMEN!
The Truth
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness… Isaiah 61:10
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
