Project #LikeLife: Why are you hiding your light?
“I've started to like my own life but I feel a little prideful about it. I don't want to make other people jealous. I don't want it to seem like I'm bragging.”
I said something like this to a friend a few years ago. I was afraid that if I kept talking about joy-filled moments that I might come off inauthentic or like bad things never happen to me. I was scared to trigger any comparison game or hearing the shameful refrain - “Oh Caroline, your life is so perfect.”
Have you felt like this before?
Here's the truth I know --
We get to share these gifts because they're not our own. It's not prideful to be who you are and tell of what God is doing.
"No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:15-16
Here's a four step check I walk myself through when ever feeling weird about sharing things I like about life with others:
Am I trying to glorify God or beat another human? This one is humbling.
Do I think these gifts are my own? No! I could never. It can only be God.
When I see other people sharing what they like about life, do I get mad? No! I love it. Why am I assuming that others will judge me? That's not helpful.
Do I trust the God can use what I say, even in my humanness? Why am I expecting to get it all right all the time? I am free.
I hope this frees you up to keep sharing, keep collecting and keep looking for things to like.
We always find what we're looking for.
Xx,
Caroline