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Inspirational Article
From
Joanne Lowe
Index of Writings by Joanne Lowe on Gospel Web
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Inspirational Article
From
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All of us wear masks at times because we are not willing to let people see that we are hurting. To take off the masks makes us vulnerable to being rejected, criticized and misunderstood. Yet, we do need to take our masks off so that others who care about us will be able to encourage us and pray for us. If we go around with a smile on our faces all the time, then we give the impression that we never have any burdens or heartaches.
We should have a smile on our faces most of the time if we have been forgiven and washed in the cleansing atoning blood of the Christ of Calvary, but we also need to be real about our emotions. Jesus was real about His emotions and heartaches. He asked them to watch and pray with Him because He was exceedingly sorrowful. If Jesus shared His heart and burdens with us, how much more we need to share what is in our hearts with our loved ones.
It is impossible to bear peoples burdens if we don’t know they have burdens because of the mask they wear constantly. This is not to say that we need to tell every single detail unless we choose to do so, but we do need to share our burdens and heartaches with people who love us and care about us. Contrary to what the world tells us, it is not a sign of weakness to cry and hurt. If that were the case then Jesus would have been weak when He wept. We know for a fact that Jesus is not weak but we also know that He is compassionate, loving and understanding.
Whatever burdens you are carrying, you don’t have to bear them alone. Share them with people who love you; people who will not judge you or try to change you. It is not our job or responsibility to change anyone. Jesus is the only one who can change a person’s heart and life. We are to love others to Jesus through our words of encouragement and by hugging them for Jesus. We are to pray for each other and love each other unconditionally just as Jesus loves us. One of the ways that we can show unconditional love is to forgive people when they hurt us. We need to remember that we also hurt other people. None of us are perfect. The only perfect person who never did anything wrong was Jesus.
Take off your mask and allow the ones who love and care about you to bear your burdens. Especially take off your mask while praying. Be honest when you pray because He already knows how you feel but He is waiting for you to run into His healing arms of compassion, understanding and comfort. There is no greater friend than Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for loving us unconditionally and thank You for dying for us so that we might be saved and live with You for all eternity.