Do you want to be seen as a strong woman?
Are you ready to take off your mask of perfection and be real?
I do not like asking others for help. I was raised to be a “strong woman,” by a single mom during my teenage years.
I had my first job at age 15, worked my way through college with very little financial help from my family, succeeded academically, and was a leader on campus. I saw asking someone else for help as a sign of weakness. I desperately wanted others to respect me and follow my leadership. What would others think of me if they knew I wasn’t perfect?
Sadly, my attitude was a sign of the pride in my life. Years ago, I learned the following definition of pride: Pride is wanting others to think you are better than you really are. In other words, pride is deceiving yourself and those around you. Humility and honesty go hand in hand.
For years, I hid my sin of explosive anger from others. Only my children and my husband experienced my angry outbursts. It wasn’t until I realized I could lose what I cherished most (my family) that I began to be honest about my anger issue.
I was terrified that if people knew the real me, they would not respect me. Ironically, I was losing respect from the very people I most wanted it from—my family.
Once I became honest with myself, my family, and God, I could finally ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness!
One of the most respected men in Scripture, the apostle Paul, openly acknowledged that he needed help: “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them” (1 Timothy 1:15 CSB). Paul did not say he “had been” the worst of sinners. He said I “am” the worst of sinners (written in the present, ongoing tense).
A strong woman is an honest and humble woman. She is one who can look in the mirror and acknowledge her weaknesses. A strong woman doesn’t wear a mask of perfection. She removes her mask and asks the Helper (the Holy Spirit) to work in her life to overcome sin. Then the reflection others will see is the beauty and power of Christ!
Paul, the worst of sinners, declared in 1 Timothy 1:16, “But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.”
When I removed my mask and was honest about my sin, God used an older woman, Esther Walker, to come alongside me as the Holy Spirit healed my heart. She consistently prayed for me and encouraged me by pointing me to God’s Word.
Now when I share my story of being healed from explosive outbursts of anger, God works in others’ lives. Asking for help and choosing to be honest about our areas of weakness brings healing.
Be encouraged today: Take off your mask and ask for help! See what God will do.
Living in Revival, Vitality, and Mission
- Stand before a mirror and ask the Lord to reveal one specific area you need help with.
- Ask the Lord to show you another follower of Christ with whom you could share your struggles and be real.
- Christian counseling is a wonderful gift that the Lord can use to bring healing. Do not hesitate to reach out to a trained counselor through your local church for help.
- If there are no areas you currently need help with, what has the Lord helped you overcome? Ask Him to show you someone you could come alongside and encourage.