Being Real

I make a lot of mistakes.

I tell people about them.

Very often, I find that people will approach me with a particular issue or struggle because they feel they can be real with me. They say it is because I have been real about who I am.

We have a tendency to put people on a pedestal; to think that they have it all together, or maybe that they woke up one day as mature as they are today. We shouldn't do that. We must remember that the people who seem to have it all together still struggle with sin. We must remember that the mature people got there by walking a hard road. They have had heartache, they have made mistakes, they have been through a process to get where they are today.

I find that being real allows people the freedom to speak freely, knowing they won't be judged. After all, if I have done dumb things, if I have sinned, if I have failed, then they can too. If I have grown from these struggles, they can too. If I have gained some wisdom from my experiences, then they can glean from it and become more wise.

Scripture says, "So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer." (2 Cor 1:6) We struggle so that we can help others later.

Let's start being real with each other. Let's tear down the false ideas we have about each other and start being honest. This will open up the doors for us to minister to each other and create the kind of freedom we are supposed to enjoy in the body of Christ.

Published by Her