Removing the Mask

Incase you hadn’t read last week’s post, my grandma ended up sick a few months ago, to the point she spent some time in the nursing home…she’s home again now. Since then I’ve been helping with housework, grocery shopping and errands, and running her to doctor visits.

I’ve not been staying caught up on the Covid hype these days (besides praying over the situation) but I’m well aware that mask are required (no exceptions!!) when visiting the health clinic my grandma goes to each week. The first time I took her to an appointment there was another little old lady who entered the building without wearing one and caused quite a fuss which helped me see that I definitely won’t be trying that anytime soon! Needless to say, she was masked along with the rest of the waiting patients within seconds!

I usually walk my grandma into the clinic to help her get checked in, all along the bottom half of my face remains covered with a handmade mask. It’s one I purposefully sewed for these doctor visits with my grandma. It’s kinda cute if one could ever be, but it’s uncomfortable and a chore to wear; the moment I walk out of the clinic doors I happily peel it from my face and ears and wait in the car until my grandma’s appointment is finished.

Masks are something I’ve been familiar with long before Rona was ever a thing. There was a time I made a habit of wearing a “mental mask” every time I’d step into the presence of public. To anyone who didn’t know me well it looked as if I was healthy — wearing a smile and confidence all the while.

But the truth is that mask I habitually wore covered shame, regret, fear, anxiety and was as high maintenance as they come.

It honestly wasn’t until I began writing again and started this blog that little by little with each word and post that my miraged mask started coming apart one ingrained thread at a time.

And it felt good.

Every feeling, emotion, and experience poured out in this blog has helped encourage this idea of unmasking blocked pain and has brought me closer to Jesus as I learn to let go of hidden feelings.

Our youth pastor had us play a game via Zoom last month where our kiddos had to guess if the celebrity in the picture was smiling or frowning behind a “virtual” mask that had been placed over their nose and mouth. The kids would guess and then Pastor Trevor would click to the next slide where it showed that same celebrity photo but this time the virtual mask had been removed, revealing their actual look. In most of the “masked photos” you couldn’t tell at all if he or she was smiling, straight faced or frowning when their face was covered.

My point is that while mask cover facial expressions — mental mask disguise raw emotions.

…But hiding our trouble can cause us to give way to dishonesty.

It’s a heartbreaking reality.

And I just wonder how many others have been walking around mentally masked (with a mislead feeling of safety) way before this virus showed up?

Friend, if that happens to be you I want to encourage you with a few verses:

1 Peter 5:7-10 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.”

Writing (which has been therapeutic for me) doesn’t have to be your thing, but going to Jesus (with your afflictions) should be! He is our ultimate cure and promise of hope and mending.

While health mask are “debatably” meant to protect, mental mask destroy opportunities of healing through their ability of false representation.

When we follow Jesus, get into the Word of God, connect in prayers and worship, and form Christian friendships we unravel tightly woven threads of past hindrance and unveil the beauty of the heart in our radiant faces created by a God who never intended for us to be masked with emotional seclusion.

Rather than covering our feelings (risking truth and freedom from burden) let’s embrace our Jesus who will guide and direct us in removing those self-fabricated emotional mask…His love for us through the blood shed on the cross is really the only perfect covering we should desire.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

41 thoughts on “Removing the Mask”

  3. This is such a powerful post. I must admit this is difficult for me. I too wear a virtual mask. I have said to myself for a few years that I want to be transparent, but it is so hard. Thanks for this post. You have given me something to think about and pray about. Blessings to you ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. What a wonderful granddaughter you are to help with the care of your grandma! And what a wise choice you are making to unmask all shame, regret, fear, and anxiety to Jesus. You will have that firm foundation Peter wrote about –for the rest of your life!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. So well written and insighful, Ali! I can definitely relate to the unraveling on my blog. It truly does free us and it helps us to heal. My blog has definitely become part of my therapy, but Jesus is our recovery. I got that from a song. God does lead and heal. I have to keep believing this. It appears He wants me to.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Great post, Alicia! I liked what your pastor did too. Creative way to do ministry in these times, and very character building!
    I pray your grandmother is doing well. I understand the mask issue. My stepdad who is 86 until November refused to wear a mask when his doctor’s called to confirm standing appointments and inform him of the requirement to wear one. They cancelled his appointments for now. He has since agreed to wear a mask at the office only in August, but he goes back and forth. He just did a virtual appointment with his regular doctor. So glad they worked it out. I am praying for you, as I know that can be stressful trying to look out for you and your loved one.
    A mental mask is just as stressful, but somewhat easier to hide behind. Isn’t it funny though how it can seem easier and more comforting, and yet can be more suffocating. Seems like the mask… MASKS the truth from the wearer.
    Btw… I have nominated you for the Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award!
    Please do not feel obligated to participate. If you do, no rush! Do as God leads you!
    If you do, please let me know. I would love to read your post! God loves you!
    Below is the link to your nomination!
    https://gaillovesgod.blog/2020/06/17/ideal-inspiration-blogger-award-6-4-2020/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes the situation with my grandma is definitely stressful, seems like she’s declining little by little each day and it’s just not the same..plus it’s a lot of responsibility and then guilt when I don’t spend as much time in her home as I’d like so prayers are truly appreciated❤️thank you so much for the nomination too Gail, I’ll be excited to check it out!! And congrats then to you also!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I love this! What an amazing lesson. I have been hiding my depression and anxiety and pain for years and never really thought about it. You have definitely motivated me to remove the mask!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I could totally see you writing a bit more on self rather than tips and crafts (although I love those!!) …the glimpse you gave sharing the memory of you and your grandma in the bathroom, and the updates of the house, and the comment-conversations we share give me a little peak at your feelings and I always read with such excitement and enjoyment ❤️🙏….you know to break the ice you could actually research “Christian ideas” to overcome depression etc. and then write out tips/ideas on the blog to share…just thought of that❤️ plus the research may help in the overcoming! I’ll definitely be praying!!!…You’d be surprised how many people suffer from depression, the post I wrote titled “I’m over you fear” has been my #1 viewed/liked post with many commenting….sad but true and people want help, they want out, and want answers, and to know they’re not alone….k I’m done now with my motivational “speech”😂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Awww thank you!! 🤗 I’ve never thought of doing that but it’s definitely something I’ll be keeping in mind! ❤️ Thank you for your prayers, too!!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Well-said, Alicia! Those invisible masks that we all have worn at times are doozies! Only when we have the courage to lower them a little or take them completely off, will we see healing for our souls and freedom! Writing is sooo therapeutic! 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. This is wonderful blog and yet so hard for me. I have masks over masks, over masks. But like you, the Lord gently extends His hand and I give him those masks, one by one. And it’s freeing.., but it’s not always without ramifications. But Jesus, is there for it all. I praise Him for that! Thank you for fabulous post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment