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No More Hiding

[There is] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:7

“Nothing’s wrong.” “It really doesn’t matter!”

These are classic lines from a person who hides feelings of hurt, irritation and unmet needs, but who seethes inside with pain or anger. Rather than “cause problems” or risk reaction, the “hider” seeks to suffer in silence. But when we hide our own feeling and desire, we undermine our own self-worth and sow the seeds of inevitable retaliation.

The wisdom of Solomon says that there are times for silence and times to speak. The appropriate “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) is critical to a deepened relationship. Christ modeled this in the Garden when He vulnerably shared His need for prayer: “Stay here and watch with Me” (Matthew 26:38).

Christ’s openness with His needs is an important encouragement. Vulnerability with need is a testimony of trust. When we are secure in our relationship, we are able t to tell the other person of our needs, knowing that he or she won’t reject us or fail to meet our needs.

We can see in this same Garden account that Christ didn’t hide His disappointment when the disciples fell asleep but openly asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40).

A caring and loving relationship is built on the secure knowledge that if you’re feeling lonely, hurt, or disappointed, your true friends will want to know about it. Then you won’t feel the need to “hide.”

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be open and vulnerable to share my hurts and needs with You. Lord, also place individuals in my life that I can open and vulnerable with also. Enable me not to go into hiding but to live the victorious life you have blessed me with through your death and resurrection. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen