a mask

 -John 15:18-21-
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as it's own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him who sent me."

Sometimes, I find myself hiding parts of who I am, parts of my personality. Why? Because I am scared. I am scared of what others may think of that side of me. Will they still like me if I am very talkative, or that I am actually a really silly girl who can be kind of weird and random at times in a good way? 

   You know what I have learned through all this, and all these thoughts? Is that everyone I am true friends with actually loves who I am. Those fears I had aren’t true at all! God tells us 365 times in the bible not to be afraid. So don’t be! When you are your complete quirky self on the outside, your true friends will love you just the way you are, and if you come across people who can’t see you the way God does, then who cares? All you need is God, and those God puts in your life who see you for you.

  So why are you putting on a mask? Who are you hiding from? Are you afraid to show others who God intentionally designed you to be? Are you hiding yourself because you're afraid of judgment? I know I used to hide myself because I was afraid others would judge me for being, well, me, and for having tourettes. In all honesty, I also feared what people would do if they knew I was Christian. Now that I am older though, I have learned that it doesn’t matter what others do to me, all that matters is that I am following God, and doing as He tells me to do.
  Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel, show it off to the world! Share it with everyone who will listen. Plant some seeds. If people want to persecute you for following God then who cares? They don’t know Him like you do. Are people bullying you for sharing who God is? or for even just believing with all you have that He is real, then let them, God is greater and is protecting you. You just have to let Him in on the situation, and really have faith in God’s goodness.

  
  This is a subject I know a ton about. For 8 years I hid myself away, I was this shy little girl who just hid in a corner, not talking to anyone, and barely even talking to my girlfriends. Why? Because I was scared. It’s normal to be scared of judgment, to fear what others will think, but don’t let those thoughts control you and your actions like I did back then. Last year I actually got out of it all, and it didn’t just switch off like a light switch, it took months of prayer. Remember, Prayer is a powerful thing!

  WE NEED GOD! No matter what we are facing, good or bad, we need God through it all. Go to God in prayer, tell Him your fears and really surrender it all to Him. He loves you, and is ready to help you in any situation, you just have to let Him. So what are you waiting for? 

  Praying for you all, and I hope this has really helped you. See you in the next post!