She Is Strong And CourageousSample

Stop Hiding - Eve

Lord, teach me from your Word and help me walk in your ways. 

Observe At some point, we’ve all worn masks to hide our real selves from the outside world. In fact, we often go to painstaking efforts to construct a captivating masquerade, so others might see the person we think they want us to be. 

Whether we show our true identities to others or not, Christ knows who you are. He sees our good and our bad, and he still loves us unconditionally and eternally. Jesus is calling us to lay aside our pretense and trust him with our true character. He wants us to confess our weaknesses, sins, and failures, so he can cover them and make us whole again. As Johnny Hunt says, “Any sin you cover, God uncovers. Any sin you uncover, God covers.” 

God wants to reveal the broken places in our lives that motivate us to cover up. He wants us to share our burdens, concerns, and issues with other believers who will pray for us, support us, and love us unconditionally. 

Adam and Eve were ashamed of their sin and afraid of God; therefore, they hid themselves in the garden. But God, in his abundant mercy and grace, lovingly covered them with animal skin and revealed his plan of redemption through Christ. 

Courageously stop hiding your true self: 

1. Ask God to help you identity the areas you are covering up in your life. 

2. Make a list of the ways you hide your true self from others. 

3. Describe the pain and problems that likely cause you to wear masks. 

4. Reach out to a godly friend and share your struggles with transparency. 

Interpret God sees our true character even when we try to hide it. He calls us to come out of hiding and let him cover us through the blood of his sacrifice and his unconditional love. 

Apply Take one step today to begin removing your masks. Reach out to a safe friend, confess your sins and struggles, and ask for prayer. 

Father, no creature is hidden from your sight, and you are very aware of my challenges. Please help me to stop hiding and give me courage to connect with godly friends who will support me as I embrace my true identity. 

For more devotionals like this, check out Ann White's book She is Strong and Courageous. https://courageforlife.org/bookstore/