BE Transparent.

Tonight at Life Group, Tim discussed about how we tend to hide ourselves from being who we truly are in Christ. We wear masks, and we think because we act the same no matter where we are that we truely are being ourselves when in actuallity we are being someone we are not.

How will we grow if do not allow people to see our flaws??

Here are some of the things mentioned:

Roadblocks to being real? Fear is the main issue

4 main reasons why many do NOT wanna be transparent....

1. Hidden weakness: Fear of exposure

2 Corinthians 4:2 (the message) "We refuse to wear masks and play games...rather we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see..

1 John 1:7-8 "But if we walk in the light, and He is in the light than we have fellowship with one another.. if we claim to be without sin we decieve ourselves and the truth is not within us"

We need to feel as though we need to hide our flaws, yet let them be known! you never know the kind of testimony you have and the effect that it will have on others if you are not sharing it! People need to see that you have been through what they are going through!

2. Desire for approval: Fear of Rejection

Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord will be kept safe.."

3. Past hurts: Fear of being hurt again

James 5:17 "Therefore confess your sins to eachother and pray for eachother that you may be healed.."

He then discussed reasons to be transparent, how we can affect the lives of others. We are part of the body of the church, we need to be able to grow ourselves. We as part of church are to support eachother, and protect eachother. We also have to know that we cannot do things on our own, and God places people in our lives to be able to share our struggles with, People who will stand with us in our faith to help us overcome.

You never know if the newer people in your church just need to see that you are just like them. People come into church and they see, happy-go-lucky people and get the impression that these people would never understand their problems, when the truth is we are dealing with the SAME ones.

Allow yourself to open up a little more, try not to play everything SAFE. Show the love of Christ in your life daily, by sharing those victories that He has done over past struggles, or things He is working on in our lives NOW.

John 15: 12-13 "My command is this, love eachother as I have loved you, Greater love has NO one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends"

Lets love one another as Christ loved us, embrace everyone with the Spirit of love. As we share our struggles, lets not allow ourselves to judge prematurely, yet listen and discern the Spirit of God as He guides us in helping eachother out.

I pray Lord that I can be MORE transparent and allow myself to continue to grow in you.

I pray that anyone who reads this will be able to be more transparent, give them the confidence and trust in you that you are putting the right people in their paths, to help them with whatever struggles they may need. Thank you.