Conversations are such a part of our daily lives. Some of us can talk all day long. Yet some hardly speak at all. Some of us choose their words carefully. And some have tongues that will shoot off words without a thought.
I love a good conversation. To be able to walk away feeling connected or with a new thought to ponder is a gift.
And a recent conversation made me ponder ….. She said, “I always have to be “game on”. I can never let my guard down. Or just be myself. It can be exhausting.” Those were the words that came from her mouth, almost with a sense of a longing to be free.
As soon the words were spoken, I remembered a quote I had recently read….
To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself – means to fight the hardest battle which any human can fight – and never stop fighting.
(E.E. Cummings, quoted in The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, page 51)
This is the battle we all find ourselves in at some point. The battle to remain authentic, real, in a world which desperately tries to force us into its mold. To stop fighting the battle will result in us becoming someone, something, other than who God intends for us to be. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, put it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT).
Fight the battle to be you.
And never stop fighting.
We need you to be you.
Today I am joining … Unite and Tell Me A Story and Soli Deo Gloria and Titus 2sday and Testimony Tues. and Teaching What Is Good and Titus 2 Tues. and Teach Me Tues. .
This is a battle I often fight…as recently as last night when writing my blog post. The temptation is to stay on the surface…to not get down to the nitty-gritty truth. Wouldn’t the enemy love it if we stayed there? But bringing the truth to light allows God to work in it and negates the power of the enemy. I’ll choose truth…and try to be brave enough to share it!
The enemy would surely love it if we went down for the count. Holly, may we choose truth every day. May we grow in bravery & share His truth each day! Grateful for your encouragement!
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and leaving such a wonderful comment. When I was pondering the name of my blog, I wanted it to be about truth, and authenticity, as I spent way too many years trying to be somebody other than myself and other blogs I had previously reflected that. Not sure if my change came because of older age, chronic illness, loss and grief, or what, but today I’m happy to be me, and to let Jesus live His life through me. Now I’m going to check out more of your posts, and become your newest follower. Blessings!!
I think each of the factors you mention play a very key role in us finding freedom to be ourselves. So grateful to have found your site as it blessed me. May God strengthen & encourage you in every way!
Excellent encouragement in a world that is always trying to fit us into their mold. Understanding who we really are in Christ is learning to live out that new life can be overwhelming – and it is a battle – but when we are encouraged by the words of your post, it makes it a bit easier! Thanks for linking up with me today.
May we keep on encouraging one another in this battle, standing shoulder to shoulder, finding strength & win!
Dear Joanne
Yes, my friend, this is quite a terrible trap to be caught. But if we carry this over to our relationship with God, it becomes deadly. Jesus commends honesty.
Blessings XX
Mia
Always!
Hi Joanne! I’m wandering over from Twitter, and I’m so glad I did. It’s so great to have a post about this subject, because I think we all feel everyone else is getting it right…and we don’t have a clue. So sad! We are all just enough, and just as God wants us to be. Isn’t that wonderful?
Our job is to love ourselves, and get out there and show the love of God to each other. Thanks for being that love today for me.
Ceil
May we show the love of God to others each & every day. Ceil, you are always encouraging. Thank you!
“We need you to be you.” I love that!
Thanks for this great reminder!
Being one’s self can be simple if you can relax and just be you. I tend to say what is on my mind at times, and some times that can leave the other person wondering where that came from. Hopefully it was a good thought and they were surprised, not shocked. ♥
Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.