We are ALL Jacked up!

Now, I don't mean that by saying we are like high or spaced out, drugged up...I mean, we are all messed up! We ALL have pain, problems and troubles.  Every single one of us do. If we were to say we didn't...then we would be the biggest liars around.
Here's the deal, we want other's to believe or see that we have our acts together. We have the perfect family, perfect spouse, perfect life...when in reality, we are all struggling with something. Something that we hide.
Yes, I said it...we hide it. Take this scripture out of Genesis....after Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit from the Tree that God had specifically told them NOT to....

They were ashamed of what they had done....and then they hid. See, we've been doing it forever! God knew where they were the whole time and He knew what they had done. Can't hide from God!

 We go to church and someone will ask us, "how are you doing?" and how do we respond?  "Why, I am just great, thank you and how are you!"  We LIE! We hide it. And those that ask, do they REALLY want to know? Wouldn't you just love for somebody to ask you how you are doing and you just unload it! If so, why don't we? It's a pride issue. (yes, that P word) But you see, The Cross of Jesus Christ DESTROYS PRIDE.
We need to be walking in confession. If we are not then we are living a lie. The true church will respond the way that Jesus would want them to. It's okay...I guarantee you that the pastors in that church are all in the same boat. I repeat...We are all jacked up! What I wouldn't give to go to a service and hear the preacher just unload it! Or how about this...a sermon titled "Let's Unpack our Junk" .

You see, when we sit in our happy place,  thinking that we are okay and we can make it, even though we are hurting beyond belief...we are telling God that we don't need his help. How can HE do a good work in us if we won't even confess that we are messed up. We put up a wall in between ourselves and the ONE who can make us whole again. He so wants to make us whole again, fix us. He is just waiting for us to confess it. Remember, He knows...He sees.

The following song lyrics are from Casting Crowns' Stained Glass Masquerade.

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

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How much more free will you be, once you have let it go, unpacked your junk? Imagine not having to "put on airs". Imagine just being able to tell it like it is the next time someone asks, "how are you doing?"  And for those of you who ask that question...you really should be prepared to hear it....otherwise, don't ask.