Truth

 “We all have a social mask, right? We put it on. We go out put our best foot forward (our best image). But behind that social mask is a personal truth; what we really, really believe about who we are and what we're capable of.” (Phil McGraw)

In today’s society, I don’t believe everyone is always completely truthful in what they say to others. (If they could only see the truth of our internal thoughts.) At a funeral when someone says “I’ll be praying for you,” how many of us actually do that. In a grocery store, we bump into someone with our cart (or shove in front of someone for our place in line). “I’m sorry” will probably come out. Do we really mean that, or is it just a "social nicety" to say in polite society? How many times have you wanted to tell someone how you really were when they asked you. Instead you gave the socially acceptable response, "doing great," but you knew all they wanted to hear.

Do you say certain things because society expects a decent person to do that, or your personal sense of rightness dictates it? God knows your true motives 24/7. The lyrics (below) of Matthew West’s song, “Truth Be Told,” clearly describe the dilemma between what society expects you to say. The version of the truth you tell yourself, and what God knows is accurate about you. Do the words to this song describe you?

Lie number one you're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing
Just smile and tell them, "Never better"

Lie number 2 everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, now

Chorus

I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm not
I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not
And you know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin you don't already know
So let the truth be told

There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are" but I doubt it
'Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn't you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals
Like me

Well truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Oh am I the only one who says

Chorus

Can I really stand here unashamed
Knowin' that you love for me won't change?
Oh God if that's really true
Then let the truth be told

Chorus

There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin you don't already know
So let the truth be told

 

Many of us have been in unpleasant social situations that we had to act like they were normal. This quote by HealthyPlace.com says what we usually do. “We can fake our smiles, but not our feelings.”  Our emotions are always an assessment of how we are feeling at the moment.  

They may not be truly accurate of us at the moment, but they can be a starting point on finding out what we truly believe on an issue. If we truly pay attention to our body and mind, our heavenly Father has given us the knowledge to be successful in our lives (with the help of others when it’s needed).  The truth about who you are in Christ is available (if you’ll only receive it).