Removing the Mask: Finding Freedom in ChristНамуна

For years, I lived with the mask of perfectionism. I grew up in an alcoholic home, and later married an alcoholic as well. I worked hard every single day to make sure our family looked perfect on the outside — church, school, sports, smiles in photos — but on the inside, I was drowning: Drowning in shame, drowning in guilt, and drowning in grief.

I thought if I could just hold it all together, somehow it would fix everything. If I performed well enough and smiled big enough, maybe it would all be okay. But masking my pain only pushed it deeper. Instead of dealing with the heartbreak, I buried it. I stuffed down the emotions, hid from the truth, and ended up exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

When we love someone who struggles with substance use disorder, we often see how they use substances to mask their mental and emotional pain. But the truth is, we do it too. We mask with busyness, people-pleasing, overachievement, control, or even destructive habits. And as we keep hiding, we lose touch with the voice of God.

The lies get louder: I’m not enough. I’m not lovable. This will never get better. But God whispers something different.

Action Step:

Spend five minutes today journaling honestly: What mask have I been wearing? What am I trying to hide from? Invite God into that space and ask Him to show you what’s true.