The Lie of “I’m Fine”

Those two words are some of the most convincing lies we tell.
They roll off the tongue so easily that we almost believe them ourselves. They sound responsible. Mature. Controlled. But deep down,

“I’m fine” is often code for I’m barely holding it together.

I said it for years. When people asked how I was doing, I’d smile, say “fine,” and keep moving. I thought that by pretending to be okay, I was protecting others from my mess and protecting myself from more pain. But really, “I’m fine” was building a wall, one that kept me from being truly seen or truly helped.

Denial wears many disguises, and “I’m fine” might be the most polished one. We use it to keep conversations light, to avoid vulnerability, to protect reputations, or to sidestep rejection. But here’s the truth:

God can’t heal what we keep hiding behind polite words.

God doesn’t need your perfect. He wants your real messy self. When Paul said, “I will boast in my weakness,” he wasn’t glorifying pain; he was glorifying the grace that met him there.

When you finally tell the truth, “I’m not okay, but I’m still here”, heaven leans in. That’s where breakthrough begins.

Healing requires humility. It’s not dramatic to need help; it’s divine. What if you are denying yourself of healing a part of you that’s been hurt for so long? It’s time to get honest.

Reflection:
What’s behind your “I’m fine”? Who could you safely tell the truth to this week?