 How many times have we been asked, and I am sure have asked someone this very familiar question?
It is as though it has become cliché whenever we come into someone’s Presence. With the many life challenges we are facing now with COVID, loss of family members, etc. it is important to have a support system of family and friends that check in with you to see how you’re doing. How many of us, myself included, would say that most of the time, we simply reply…I’m OK…I’m good. When with every fiber of our being we really want to say, I’m not doing so good today. Because my friend you do know it’s OK to give yourself permission to not be OK. Ladies, we as women can be our biggest critic. Even though I believe God gave us, his daughters, an extra measure of endurance, we need to make sure we are not setting the bar too high. Proper perspective and a healthy balance are vital Most importantly when we find ourselves becoming overwhelmed, or just in burnout mode remember this: 1Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for us. My sisters, it is time to take off the Mask! Yes, the Mask. Mask of shame, hurt, inadequacy, unforgiveness, whatever it is you have been trying to cover up behind the Mask. Because can I tell you something, Daddy God sees every hurt, pain, and disappointment. In Genesis 16:13 Hagar referred to the Lord as “the God who sees me.” My friend, we are never alone, because we serve a God who sees us. We can rest knowing God is never, yes never, unaware of what we are going through. And everything that concerns us concerns Abba Father. Recently I was having a conversation with a sister friend, and I asked how she was doing. Of course, she simply replied , I’m Ok. But you know how you know when someone is not OK. So, I asked again with all sincerity how are you really doing! Her demeanor quickly changed, and she began to open up (Mask coming off) . I could see the weight being lifted as she began to gradually take off the Mask. We have become so familiar with covering up how we really feel that we can find it difficult to express our true feelings. I believe this originates from a place of thinking that we are the ones that are supposed to be there for everyone else. Because we are maternal by nature, we can find ourselves, if we’re not careful, investing in other people and not ourselves. When this happens, we carry things that God never intended for us to carry. Listen friend, it’s OK to say no sometimes, to not have all the answers. I have often heard that the first step to being free of whatever holds us hostage, is by acknowledging its existence. A study from the University of Texas, found that by not acknowledging our emotions we are making them stronger (captivity). We find in the words of John 8:36 where Jesus makes a wonderful statement of victory, “Whom the Son sets Free is Free indeed”! Although this passage of scripture, is in reference to the believer’s freedom from the bondage, penalty, and guilt of sin, it also refers to our freedom to Live out Loud. We are no longer slaves to sin, and it increases our capacity to love, to have joy, to experience peace, and to enjoy life. John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” My Sisters, let this year, 2022, be the year you begin to live life to the full! Take time to invest in yourself, and when God does send that Sisterfriend your way and she does ask, Sister how you doing?, let her know For Real, For Real, you‘ll be so glad you did. Live Out Loud!! Guest Blogger, Leslie Ross
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