Dangerous Paths

Proverbs 29:²⁵ “Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety.” (LB, emphasis added)

We began to look at the first of three prisons that Jesus wants us to exit from and the first is the Prison of Pretending. When you wear a mask, you are hiding, and you will get increasingly uncomfortable. Wearing a mask can be exhausting as many of us can attest to from first-hand experience during  the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. When you step out of your house, most times, you had to wear a face mask all day to protect yourself and protect others. However, even though wearing a mask was the wise thing to do at that time, it easily became tiring, and frustrating, your ear is peeling, you are adjusting, and you are mostly uncomfortable.

Even those who were used to wearing masks for long hours, if you ask, they will tell you how uncomfortable wearing a mask can be. It is increasingly exhausting to keep a mask on all day. God is saying exit the prison of pretending. Proverbs 29:²⁵ “The fear of human opinion disables; but trusting in God protects you from that.” (MSG, emphasis added). The reason why a lot of people pretend is because of what other people will say. Stop pretending, it gives you a disability perhaps a mental health issue. The truth is, God loves you and everyone else has a plan for you. The government has a plan for you. Even the ones that don’t have a plan for you already have a plan for you. The plan is in not having a plan. Your spouse has a plan for you. Your children have a plan for you. Your parents have a plan for you. Your friends have a plan for you.

Everybody has a plan for you, but you need to be authentic, and be true to yourself. You need to focus on God and God alone. The scripture says very clearly, it is trusting in God that protects you, not wearing a mask. So, take the mask off and exit the prison of pretending because you cannot please everybody. Guess what? Even God cannot please everybody. When you are out to please this person and that person, and you just want people to like you. The challenge is that you are the only one that knows that you are in prison, even though everyone sees you as a nice person. But you know that things are not the way they should be. Luke 16:¹⁵ “You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned.” (emphasis added). You are always trying to tell the story to make yourself look good. Guess what? God sees your heart. The things that are most important to people are worthless before God. Who are you seeking to please?

Prayer: Father, deliver me from the fear of human opinion and help me trust in You alone, in Jesus Name. Amen!