Struggling Well With Life

Just got back to town from a conference in Atlanta. I heard some great talks, and return home with a few decent take-a-ways. But one thing that one of the devotional speakers touched on, and was not even a main point of his talk, was that every single one of us is insecure. And, I think he is spot on. We all are. Everybody is dealing with something that we fight against, that impedes or robs our security, confidence, and ability to function in total and complete emotional and mental health. Privately, we think we are the only one, or one of a few, but that’s not true. Everybody has stuff that we wrestle with, feel inferior about, and leave us convinced if others knew who we really are would change their view of us. So what do we do? We hide, protect, isolate, project, and a whole bunch of other stuff to keep our shortfall from view. And then we feel lonely, separated, and more convinced to hide. So how is that “community”? How is that being the body of Christ? The evil one must enjoy the dance of distance we engage in as we have opportunities to truly care for, and accept one another. Here is my take-a-way, apply it if you like - Am I living authentically? Am I going there with people, and especially with the people that I consider to be friends? Or am I perpetuating the illusion that compounds isolation. Here is my prayer today - “God, help me live authentically in every relatiopnship and interaction today.”