A Mask of Perfection

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24) 
 
In Mark chapter 9, we read about a man who had a son possessed by a spirit. When his son was brought to Jesus, Jesus asked the man, “Do you believe?” The man’s reply was powerful and honest. He said Lord I believe, but help my unbelief. The man was expressing one of the human realities of life. He was saying, “Lord I trust you, but I have my fears and doubts.”  
 
I like that in this story, Jesus was empathetic enough to handle the man’s honesty, because it lets us know that when we come to God, we don’t have to put on a mask of perfection. We can just be honest.  
 
Some of us are weighed down not by the problems we are facing, but by the perceived pressure to act like we’re not having any problems. Being honest with God frees us from the pressure of bottling up all of our feelings, suppressing them, and holding everything in.  
 
I recently read a series of studies that argued that suppressing emotions and negative feelings adversely affects a person’s body and mind. One particular study showed that people who bottled up their emotions increased the chance of premature death by 30% and they have a 70% chance of being diagnosed with cancer.  
 
Bottling up your emotions not only takes a physical toll on your body, it takes a spiritual toll as well. God never asked us to keep our doubts, worries, and concerns to ourselves. He asked us to lay all of that at His feet and ultimately trust Him to take care of everything, especially the things that are out of our control. There’s no need to pretend we have it all together or that we never have questions about the way God is working.  
 
So don’t live your life trying to mask hurt, fear, and anxiety. Don’t let the spiritual arteries of your life become clogged because you feel the pressure to put on a front. Don’t suppress, express.