Pride can be deceiving,

No one knows the truth inside.

While all along denying,

It’s in this clever place that I hide.

On the outside it looks humble,

Not wanting myself to ever shine forth.

While internally I’m shrinking,

From anything that shows my worth.

Never risk the chance of exposure,

Outside the boundaries where it is safe.

But left there in their cages,

Capabilities lose their place.

Not developed for their purpose,

No one needs to know their name.

Just tucked up for safekeeping,

Protecting me from threatening shame.

Pride’s companion is there hiding,

Insecurity also plays this game.

Their presence keeps my focus,

On me avoiding blame.

They keep me looking inward,

Protecting at all cost.

Self preservation continually ruling,

Nothing gained, then nothing lost.

These culprits are demanding,

They tear away every potential threat.

While feeding them they rob you,

Of your truth doomed to regret.

Awaken to what it is costing,

Let fear risk its guarded hedge.

Revealing the truth of these imposters,

Destroying your secret pledge.

Remove the self centered focus,

Risk has to take a stand.

Truth of who you are meant to be,

Is stronger than judgmental demands.

Don’t be fooled by fears dark whispers,

Of what a friend he’s been to you.

Holding back to keep you safely,

Tucked away from what is true.

Step away from clever hiding,

Not fearing what is at hand,

Walk boldly into the future,

Let authentic experiences take command.

Wendi Maddox

Author’s Look~

There is always a risk in truth, and truth will always risk being true over the consequences of the lie. Hiding is denial of what we are afraid to expose, and yet there is not always a clear answer as to why we don’t want to expose what we are hiding. Fear has a funny way of taking a chokehold upon us and sitting in the driver’s seat of our life, all with personal permission.

Friend or Foe

We can quickly see fear as a friend who is protecting and keeping us safe within the cages we allow ourselves to sit in, while watching others around us live their lives. If we don’t move, we won’t mess up- that’s safety. Other’s will not have the ability to judge or condemn us- that’s safety. We won’t humiliate ourselves or leave a wrong impression – that’s safety. Fear becomes a friend who guides us away from our authentic selves to hide away in a cell of doing nothing, being nothing, and becoming nothing, all for the sake of self preservation.

When we stay out of the spotlight and shy away from being in the forefront, it can be looked upon as humility, but most of the time, it is shrouded by a different culprit. Pride is its name, and it is a clever place to hide; for it is a protective mechanism, many times coupled with insecurity. Pride and Insecurity work well together as they play the same game of having our focus all turned towards self. We are looking inward constantly, protecting ourselves instead of giving out what we have to offer that might be beneficial to someone else. It keeps us from our purpose and keeps us locked in on saving our own selves!

We ALL Know

I have heard much on this lately from songs, podcast, sermons, and they have all lined up to this truth that I am writing about today, and it needs to be called out as often as possible, especially to ourselves. I know I am not alone in this, which is why my wording switched from me to you in the poem above. We are all trying to push past fear and be our authentic selves. That’s who we were meant to be! The world deserves to see and experience the qualities that God has placed inside of each and every one of us.

TRUTH

II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). . .For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear does not come from the kingdom of God and we must not befriend it. Timidity stops what God wants to put into action, and when we see it for what it is and put an end to it, we release the POWER of God and His Love to flow PEACE into our lives. That is true self preservation. Letting God have His way in our lives, so that His peace can rule in our hearts.https://preacherprose.com/the-fruit-of-truth/?relatedposts_hit=1&relatedposts_origin=1610&relatedposts_position=1

Psalm 139:14 (KJV). . . I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvelous are they works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

Don’t I know it, Lord! Don’t I know it!! That is the verse from God’s word that we need to continually play in our minds to push out the dark posers trying to steal our authenticity.

Let Your TRUTH Risk it!!!!