driven society, we live in a world that fosters false community through social media. I believe women have never felt more‘ connected’ or‘ followed,’ yet more alone. We see the prettiest, happiest and most exciting two minutes of someone else ' s day flash across our screens and judge ourselves through that window. It ' s a recipe for failure, comparison and self-doubt.
During his three years of public ministry Christ allowed us to see the highs and lows of life on this earth, not just the miracles but the disappointment and rejection. I want women and men to understand that much of what we allow to be seen on social media is smoke and mirrors. Real life is bringing all that ' s true about us— the good, the bad, and the ugly— into the gracefilled space of the love and mercy of God. I would rather be known and loved by ten people than followed by a thousand.
If you’ re hurting or disappointed or angry or sad but you see everyone else around you seeming to have it all together— even those who are facing difficult circumstances— you begin to wonder: What’ s wrong with me?”
God gave us communities so we could help each other; but we aren’ t helping each other if we hide our struggles or shame those who tell their darkest truths.
Why do you think we guard our deepest hurts, even from God?
Sheila: The greatest desire of every human heart is to be fully known and fully loved but we’ re so afraid to bring all of who we are to the table in case we are rejected. From an early age, we’ re taught that being strong means holding it all together. We’ re taught that sharing our weaknesses to the world will cause harm and open ourselves to criticism and pain. And, sadly, too often, sharing secrets and shame in the church begets more shame, which leads to more secret keeping. It’ s a vicious cycle. But the relentless love of Christ pursues us through all our secret shame. Jesus didn’ t do life alone and we’ re not meant to either. I believe we all need a couple of safe people that we can be open and real with.
You talk about“ entering a safe place with God.” Would you explain what you mean by this?
Sheila: We begin by telling God the truth, the whole truth. He is our safe place. There is no judgement, there is no shame, there is no rejection. If you are willing to lay all of your pain and hurt and loss and shame at His feet you’ ll discover there is only God’ s love for you. Nothing that affects you is petty to God.
We can tell anything to God— hurt, grief, anger, shame, secrets, etc. He can handle whatever we have to say, and telling it straight strengthens our relationship with Him.( And of course,
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