Can I be a little bit vulnerable with you today? ?

Do you ever feel tempted to run and hide? To run from the things you don’t want to face, to hide from anyone who might see a weakness in you, from something that might be embarrassing or vulnerable?

Maybe it’s a weakness or vulnerability…

Or maybe it’s shame…

Maybe it’s a feeling of not belonging…

Maybe you’re defensive, avoidant of criticism…

Maybe you’re hurt, and offended and upset with someone…

Maybe it’s anxiety…

Maybe it’s self-loathing…

Maybe it’s a lie being mistaken for truth…

Sin makes us want to hide.

These are some of the things that tempt me to pull myself into hiding.

These are the things I’ve got to be on guard against, the things I have to watch for so they don’t sneak up on me.

Are there things in your life that always seem to be pulling at you, causing you to want to run away or “hide?”

You know there are many different ways to “hide.”

Have you ever had to deal with embarrassing things? Things that make you think, “why do I even try to remain in society”? ?

I’ve been able to get past a lot of these kinds of things, and I’ve learned to laugh at myself whenever I can, at least until I accidentally start to cry… (dang hyper sensitivity…. ??)

My face turning red — it can come unexpectedly, and at the worst times. It can be from emotions, it can be from insecurity, or it can simply be from a temperature change. No matter how hard I try I can’t hide it in that moment. It can be embarrassing and extremely vulnerable. ?☺️

Or attempting to convey a thought and having to stop right in the middle because of a word “train wreck”…. ?

Can I just be vulnerable and perhaps a little light-hearted today? ?

Here’s one…. my hands sweating so bad at times, even when I’m not necessarily nervous… sometimes I’ll leave a pool of sweat on the table, or ruin a piece of paper, or heaven forbid, have to touch or shake someone’s hand, and feeling so sorry for that person because they now have my sweat all over them. ???

I remember a few years ago when we were praying for people at church, we were asked to lay hands on the person as we prayed for them, well, guess what…. yep, my hands were sweating, and this lady had on a silk shirt, I just knew I had left a handprint of sweat on her. LOL ?

Or when I go to shake someone’s hand and I can just feel them caught off guard by basically holding a hand that feels like a fish right out of the water. ???

These kinds of things honestly make me want to crawl under the table sometimes… and these days, thankfully the Lord has helped me to be able to laugh at myself, and be more light-hearted, but there are times when I am caught off guard I am tempted to run away and hide… and that can be dangerous.

Now…. to get to where I am trying to go…..

Whatever the weakness, whatever the obstacle, whatever the hindrance, whatever the “lack”, whatever that “embarrassing” or vulnerable thing is that makes me feel insecure….

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37

“Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you. This is the LORD’s declaration.” – Jeremiah 1:8

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

“Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” – 1 John 5:5

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

What do I do when I am feeling tempted to run from whatever it is that makes me want to run away and hide, whatever it is I am wanting to avoid because of insecurity?

I stand and declare:

“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

“Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.” – Isaiah 51:7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:6-9

Lord Jesus, thank You that You have given me a way to overcome my insecurities and weaknesses. Thank You that no matter the situation, no matter the embarrassment, no matter the weakness, YOU SAY that I can do all things through Your strength. I am not to fear. Forgive me for “fearing the people” because You say I am not to fear man. Help me to trust You, help me to focus on You, and may I learn more and more to be content in my vulnerability and areas of weakness so that I leave more and more room for Your strength, and Your ways! Thank You that I never have to face these things alone.

-Heather ?