Masks Don’t Comfort
Many are walking through life with pain they don’t have to carry. It has turned to suffering, because of its ongoing in nature. You have those who put on a mask, trying to pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s as if they hide it from others, it will go away. Then there’s the ones who seek to soothe their pain through various vices, which exacerbates the problem. They actually add suffering to what’s there already. In short, masks don’t comfort.
By design, masks conceal our true nature. They cover the feelings of vulnerability, and hide our weaknesses; or so we think. You could say they came into existence in the garden of Eden. What did Adam and Eve do after they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons (Genesis 3:7).
They created a false covering (which points to false religions as well) in order to hide their vulnerability. Stating the obvious, it hid nothing from God; in fact, it put distance between them and Him (see Genesis 3:8-24).
People do the very same thing today. Instead of running to the One Who could heal them of their pain and suffering, they run from Him. They seek to comfort themselves; instead of seeking the Comforter, which makes matters worse. One result is guilt, shame and condemnation compounding the issue, especially when they try numb themselves from their affect. It’s a vicious cycle that is totally unnecessary.
Remove the Mask and Find Comfort
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus said His Word is truth, and truth is the very thing people need to be truly free. They cannot expect to be free if they continue living a lie. There comes a point in which they must face reality head on, and that may include repentance. Without honesty there is no freedom.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Masks are carnal, therefore, the flesh hates the Word of God, because it exposes darkness. It sheds light on the root causes of the suffering, which can be painful. Especially, if it involves people closest to you. However, when the root is removed, so goes the suffering. Of course, it also brings to light anything else contrary to the nature of God. We are created in His image, and are called to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Those things are interfering with our design.
Nevertheless, there is a gentleness to His Word. As we spend time with Him and in the Bible, a renewal process takes place. This process changes the way think, which also changes our very core. The more we think like Him, the more we conform to Him.
Take heart, He wants to heal everyone. Sometimes, we overlook what the Cross signifies to us in relation to what He is willing to do for us. In fact, He wants to do these things.
Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
The extent to which God went to reconcile us unto Himself, reveals His generous nature by which He gives good things. That includes healing, which is part of the redemption story. Throw away the mask, and throw your arms around Him.
