We often talk about "being real," in cyberspace and in real life. By which is generally meant that you don't "gloss over" the not-so-great parts of your life.
I've nothing wrong with that. Only One has ever been completely holy, and even He was not always perfectly happy...there's nothing bad about admitting things are ugly sometimes. We live in a war zone. War zones are ugly. It's expected.
But too often "being real" deteriorates into a sad sort of "woe-is-me" attitude, bemoaning one's difficulties and "first-world problems," and trying to get others to feel sorry.
Which is sad, because if that's what you see as "being real," then that's what's really inside you.
Everyone has struggles, of course. But some fight them unceasingly, and others give up...and others, by God's grace, rise above them and see and live in the beauty that is.
What if what was really inside you was:
This is going on right now and I hate it. But this other thing is also going on and it's beautiful. And I [rock-bottom, 100%, not-just-a-platitude] KNOW God is going to pull me through and the end of this ugliness will be beauty!
Yeah. I can't do that. You can't do that.
But He can. Shall we accept His offer?
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2)
"Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Neh. 8:10)
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