In a Nutshell:

We’re experts at hiding—putting on brave faces at church while our hearts are breaking. Pastor Jeremy’s vulnerable story about his childhood struggles reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just want our Sunday smiles; He wants our everyday pain. What would happen if we stopped performing and started being honest about our struggles? Perhaps we’d discover the freedom that comes when we remove our masks.

Anchor Verse (NIV)

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain, like one from whom people hide their faces.” – Isaiah 53:3

Unpacking the Word

In today’s digital age, we’ve perfected the art of presenting curated versions of ourselves. We filter photos, craft careful captions, and present a highlight reel that masks our true struggles. This performance isn’t limited to social media—it infiltrates our spiritual lives too. As Pastor Jeremy vulnerably shared, “Sometimes we can even come to church and put a brave face on and praise the Lord, brother… Inside we’re [hurting].”

Isaiah’s prophecy reveals something profound about the Messiah—He would be “a man of suffering and familiar with pain.” Jesus didn’t just experience occasional discomfort; He was intimately acquainted with grief. This means He understands when we’re hiding behind “I’m fine” when we’re actually falling apart. He recognizes the pain behind our practiced smiles. Pastor Jeremy’s personal story of childhood bullying and family struggles illustrates how deeply we can carry wounds, often invisible to others. “I carried this wound for years and years and years,” he confessed. “I always felt that they looked down on me… And I felt completely isolated from people.”

This shared vulnerability creates a powerful invitation. If Jesus was honest about His suffering—crying out from the cross in anguish—perhaps we too can remove our masks. There’s something profoundly healing about admitting our pain, not just to God but to trusted others. When Pastor Jeremy shared his story of rejection and isolation, he wasn’t just revealing his past; he was demonstrating that authentic connection happens when we stop pretending. In a world of performances, Jesus offers us the freedom to be honestly broken rather than falsely whole. As the pastor noted, “Even the things you have never shared to another individual, because you’re too ashamed of what they would think of you… God knows. God actually cares about that too.”

Faith in Action

• What pain am I hiding behind a mask of “fine” or “blessed”?
• Who might benefit if I shared my struggles more authentically?
• Action Step: Have a conversation with a trusted friend where you share something you’ve been struggling with rather than presenting only your successes.

A Moment With God

“Jesus, I’m tired of pretending. You know my pain already, but I confess I often hide it from others and sometimes even from myself. Give me courage to be honest about my struggles, knowing You love me not for my performance but for who I am. Amen.”

---