Transparency is tough.
When you’re raised to know what is right, sometimes the hardest thing to be is transparent or honest. Everyone expects you to not only know right, but to choose right, and sometimes neither are the case.
I remember sitting in class wanting to ask a question so bad, but feared looking dumb. Had I fallen asleep? Why does it seem everyone knows what’s going on except me? I would often jot down the question in my notebook to later figure it out on my own. Why couldn’t I just bite the bullet and ask? My fear of judgement stifled my learning, but was just a reflection of what I did in other areas of my life.
The fear of judgement often bridles our tongue, preventing us from spiritual and even natural development. None of us want to feel less than a Christian or less than saved, but if one has a struggle, it will only be overcome by first uncovering and then addressing it head-on. People often try to diagnose and heal themselves, but our weaknesses are prolonged in secret. The moment it becomes common knowledge we are free to grow and learn from the strengths of others.
When we are transparent we are humbled and reminded of our dependency. We were never meant to live in a vacuum, but in community, where we not only serve but are served. There’s a tendency to want to be the best. To never need help or assistance, but the greatest people are those who realize no one has all the answers. We all need counsel. We all need to raise our hand every now and then and ask the question everyone in class has been wanting to ask.
If you are having trouble with being transparent:
When you’re raised to know what is right, sometimes the hardest thing to be is transparent or honest. Everyone expects you to not only know right, but to choose right, and sometimes neither are the case.
I remember sitting in class wanting to ask a question so bad, but feared looking dumb. Had I fallen asleep? Why does it seem everyone knows what’s going on except me? I would often jot down the question in my notebook to later figure it out on my own. Why couldn’t I just bite the bullet and ask? My fear of judgement stifled my learning, but was just a reflection of what I did in other areas of my life.
The fear of judgement often bridles our tongue, preventing us from spiritual and even natural development. None of us want to feel less than a Christian or less than saved, but if one has a struggle, it will only be overcome by first uncovering and then addressing it head-on. People often try to diagnose and heal themselves, but our weaknesses are prolonged in secret. The moment it becomes common knowledge we are free to grow and learn from the strengths of others.
When we are transparent we are humbled and reminded of our dependency. We were never meant to live in a vacuum, but in community, where we not only serve but are served. There’s a tendency to want to be the best. To never need help or assistance, but the greatest people are those who realize no one has all the answers. We all need counsel. We all need to raise our hand every now and then and ask the question everyone in class has been wanting to ask.
If you are having trouble with being transparent:
1. Pray and ask God for a friend that loves Him and you. Share your struggles with that friend.
2. Start a journal and jot down your thoughts concerning your struggles in life.
3. Be a friend to someone else and offer your help in their struggle (even if it’s simply prayer).
4. Make a commitment to be as honest as possible when addressing God, so that He can be given the opportunity to work on your behalf.
- B. Landi
Supplementary Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4: 8-12
Proverbs 24: 6
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