Our uncovered faces show expression; however, sometimes those visualizations do not match how one may be feeling. Now that everyone is wearing a mask to cover the face, one's feelings and appearances are camouflaged more than before. My question to everyone for your own introspection and examination is: What is behind the Mask?
There are so many emotions that people may experience in a day (varies by the person), but so much builds up over time. During these unusual days since the corona virus and a mandate to wear masks there are countless concerns for humanity as a whole as well as individually. Some descriptive thoughts as you look at yourself and your feelings: Fear, anger, suffering, isolation, difficulty breathing, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, or what's next? Jot down some of your feelings to make them real for you in order to help you to conquer these secrets kept inside. These feelings have to be exposed to keep you from being self-defeated. "Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."[Romans 8:37 - K.J.V.]
Masks have been designated for wearing in public to protect self and others.
Masks worn at masquerade parties hide the identity and is for pleasure.
Masks that cover any portion of the face disguises the identity.
Question: Who is behind the Mask? Now your turn to determine the answer because only you know, but then again do you really know who you are behind the mask? (A time for reflection and honesty). "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" [2 Corinthians 13:5]
Before the Mask: Many people experienced some of the same thoughts as introduced and more that evolved with the changes in our society that intensifies human emotions. Some people find ways to cover their countenance during a lifetime that is disconnected from how they really are before the physical mask wearing started. Unfortunately, some events in life opens the doorway to pretentiousness (a false appearance that everything is fine), but in reality, one could feel like they are disappearing to self and to others. These feelings often lead to self-destructive behaviors such as, but not limited to: self-medicating with alcohol, drugs (prescribed and illegal substances), denial that help is needed, and the tragic decision that some make: suicide. We must confront these issues in the Body of Christ because we are not exempt. I am praying that people will learn to trust JESUS and pray for guidance in whom to confide in to bring restoration, healing, and peace into your life. The Good News is that when we allow ourselves to have a relationship with JESUS, we can find joy. "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" [Nehemiah 8:10]
Wearing a Mask: Hiding places are preferable for some; therefore, a mask can alter appearances with partial concealment so that it becomes harder to communicate and interact with each other. Despite the outer covering; the inner core of who we are cannot be hidden from The LORD because He knows every hair that is numbered on our head... He sees everything we do because He is omnipotent and omnipresent; and He knows our thoughts. Mirrors expose our reflections of who we are on the inside that becomes transparent through the outside. Eyes also reveal the true nature of a person. "The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"[Matthew 6:22-23]
A new generation of wearing face coverings should be a concern not only to protect against a pandemic, but another crisis of desensitizing our children to see people differently more so that could lead them to become more self absorbed and selfish (we have been seeing this before corona virus). Wearing masks and social distancing perpetuates a lack of caring for each other. Over the past 30 years people have become increasingly insensitive of other people and with masks, our future generations will become devoid of human emotions to love and have compassion for humanity.
I appeal to The Body of Christ that we do not allow masks to distort our spiritual presence from the world. Be transparent with the Spirit of Christ and be true to who you are purposed to be for His Glory. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." [Matthew 5:16] If something needs to be developed, changed, or removed from within - ask The Lord for healing and deliverance. With or without facial coverings; we cannot hide from The LORD.
I leave you with this: the one place that we should desire to be hidden is in the safety of The LORD. "For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." [Psalm 27:5] May you find comfort in The LORD and keep smiling under the mask to bring "healing from the inside out."
Love-in-Christ, Apostle Joni A. Kindell
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