Masks, there are so many and they mean so many different things. In the theater you have the comedy and tragedy, in social media you have emojis that mean you are happy, sad, crying, love something, hate something, you think it's poop, you are wowed by something. We post pictures with us smiling and laughing as if all is well. Masks, we wear them well but what are they covering up? What are they hiding; hurt, pain, depression, illness, homelessness, lack of funds, low self-esteem? Or, or are you really always that happy and joyful and fun to be around?
When I was dealing with depression before it got really heavy, I would smile as if all was well. I would tell people that I was alright and that I could handle all that was given to me for me to take care of. I lied and big time. My world was turning upside down and flipping sideways, I was in so much internal turmoil and to look at me you would have no clue. Family and friends had no idea that I was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of life. Do you know someone like that or are you that person? You are walking around telling everyone that it's ok, that you are alright or that you will be fine. But the reality is that you cry when you are alone in the bathroom, or at night after everyone else has fallen asleep. Your spouse or significant other is on the other side of the bed, snoring away, and has no idea that you are bawling your eyes out, snotting all over your pillow because the pain hurts so bad.
One of the things that drew me out of my depression, at the deepest point, heck at all points, was God's word. God's promise to me, to us, is that trouble doesn't last always, that weeping endures for the night but joy comes in the morning.
We also wear masks of makeup and hair and expensive clothing, even expensive cars and houses. Let me make this clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with hair, makeup, expensive clothing, cars or houses. If you have worked hard for these things, you deserve it. They are there to enhance your appearance and your life. But why do you really have those things? A lot of women wear makeup and extra hair because they feel as if they are not beautiful without it, usually because someone told them that they would be cute if they had longer hair or if they wore a little makeup. Darker complexioned people want to lighten their skin because someone told them that they would be cute if they were lighter. People put the pressure on themselves to get numerous degrees and to be the smartest person in the class because someone told them that they were stupid or because they got a C on a test that they needed to work extra hard. Doing this made them feel as if they were inadequate and weren't good enough. Men buy expensive cars and/or large houses because as a child/teenager someone told them they were ugly and they had better get a lot of money because no woman would be attracted to them without it. I have heard these things myself! I have heard people say this to and about children, teenagers, young adults and even grown folks and it has saddened me. Have I been guilty of it myself? On some level, I'm sure I have and shame of me for being so insensitive and inconsiderate of the other person's feelings, self-worth and overall mental health.
If you are wearing a mask please take it off and deal with the real that is under that mask. Deal with the hurt feelings, the low self-esteem, the pain of feeling abandoned and neglected, the depression. You are worth so much and have so much to offer this world, beyond what anyone has ever told you in the past, even beyond your wildest dreams or imaginations. Dive into God's word and you will find so many scriptures that are encouraging to your spirit.
Some scriptures:
Psalm 94:19
*James 1:2 -3
Proverbs 10:28
Romans 14:17; 15:13
*Psalm 30:15
*Hebrews 12:2
Peace and blessings beautiful people! Remember to walk in Your purpose!
Jai
