Honesty is the Best Policy

I came across this blog today.

And, it really got me thinking about something I've been talking to a lot of women about lately. Why is it that we try so hard to put on these perfect faces and pretend like everything is ok with us? Why are we so nervous about being real and vulnerable, because someone may not like what we have to say? Why are we so focused on keeping our pains and hurts and pasts a secret, instead of sharing them with others who may be dealing with the same things?
I am so guilty of this. Even with this blog. I share some personal things about myself...but there are many things I keep a secret. Why? Because I don't want someone to think less of me, or think I'm crazy, or give me crap about it later. Is that any way to live our lives? How are we ever going to reach out to people, and be truly effective in doing so, if we give off the impression that we have everything together 24/7?
I was so nervous about this blog post. Why? Because I was afraid of what people would think of me. I truly didn't want to offend anyone, so I think that was a valid reason for being nervous about it...but I was also worried that some people in my life may not agree with me, and think badly of me because of it. It's so silly! Why do we care so much about what people think of us, that we're afraid to be honest?
It's time to start being ourselves. It's time to start living our lives, exposing the not-so-pretty things, in order to encourage others to do the same. We are all imperfect, we all have flaws, pasts, hurts, struggles, and bad days. We all need the encouragement of other people in our lives...and we all need to be pointed back towards God on a daily basis. If we're always telling people we are "fine", no one is going to feel the need to encourage us. It's time to start being real!