I Take Off the Mask

The phrase “the truth hurts” is a universally recognized saying, often invoked when a harsh reality pierces through the comfortable illusions we construct around ourselves. But why does the truth hurt? What is it about confronting reality that can provoke such a profound emotional response? This article explores the psychological, emotional, and spiritual reasons behind the pain of truth and offers insights into how we can learn to embrace it as a catalyst for growth and healing. The Nature of Truth Truth, by its very definition, is the state or quality of being in accordance with fact or reality. It is unchangeable, unyielding, and often indifferent to our feelings or desires. Truth exists independently of our beliefs, perceptions, or wishes. While we may try to bend or avoid it, the truth remains steadfast, waiting to be acknowledged. This unyielding nature of truth is part of what makes it painful. When we encounter a truth that contradicts our beliefs, shatters our illus...

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a truthful revelation from a close friend and it just hurt so badly? You knew deep inside that your friend was only pointing out a true defect or weakness he or she may have seen in you. You also know that your friend never meant you harm. But why is it that it still hurt so much? Aside from the issue of pride that is also often involved when it comes to criticism, there is another factor I have realized when it comes to hearing or speaking the truth. Sometimes, the truth hurts because it isn’t the  “complete”  truth! What does this mean? Does it mean that what you heard was also half a lie? Not at all! But it isn’t the  fullness of truth  either. Let’s talk about an example. One day, your friend may notice how you don’t seem to have a concrete goal in life and that is why your life is getting nowhere. She said it out of real concern for you and there is some truth in it. But why does it hurt so much? It’s because the indirect implications of ...

Secret to Answered Prayers What is the secret to answered prayers? Will God answer my prayers? The Bible has a very simple guide on how we should pray: Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not… ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. – Matthew 21:21 And when we look back at all the prayers that Jesus had answered, honesty and simplicity in those prayers were very much evident. And behold, there came a leper and worshipped him saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed. -Matthew 8:2-3 And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, saying Have mercy on us, thou son of David. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According...

There is a kind of happiness that can easily make you smile or laugh. Sometimes it can even be so overwhelming that it makes you cry. After a while, however, you realize that your feelings slowly start to fade. Somehow, you find it harder and harder to remember the way you felt before. Eventually, you may wonder whether you’ve been really happy at all. On the other hand, there is a happiness that doesn’t seem like happiness at the start. It’s so subtle that it almost speaks in whispers. It moves ever gently you may fail to notice it’s there. But if you pay attention to it and you give it time, and if you allow it to touch you and to enter your heart, you’d see how it would grow steadily from day to day. You’d understand it more and more. Unlike the first kind of happiness, this one doesn’t quickly fade. This one doesn’t excite you only to let you down. But this kind of happiness grows deep until it takes root. It changes you and moves you. It pene...

Image by Gabriel Alva from Pixabay “The role of a clown and a physician are the same?-?it’s to elevate the possible and to relieve suffering.”-Patch Adams It is far easier to talk about suffering than to bear it. When we need to endure so much pain, sometimes all the knowledge we think we have seem to disappear. All that we can think about is how much we are hurting.  It’s as though time passes by ever so slowly and our suffering would never end. Where do we find relief from our suffering? How do we somehow alleviate the pain? Here are some of the things that have helped me endure suffering: 1. Person It is having that person whom you can depend upon that helps you endure the most difficult sufferings in life. Just knowing that you are not alone already lightens your heavy load. You endure the pain with them and for them. Many times, it is your concern for them that allows you to forget much of your sufferings because instead of focusing on them, you care about the peo...

Image by Pexels from Pixabay There’s something life changing about knowing that you are loved as you are. You don’t have to pretend like you’re someone else. You don’t have to always try so hard. You don’t need to be anxious each time you mess up, thinking you’d be rejected after all for that. You just live as you are. You laugh as you laugh. You cry like you’ve always cried. And you won’t be judged. You won’t be cast away. You’d just be loved, And you’d be delighted upon Just for being you, For the beautiful And wonderful person That you are. “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is…like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.” – Timothy Keller

Image by V??ng Nguy?n from Pixabay I’m the type of person who always wants things to be organized. I make schedules, I plan, and I try to anticipate any needs that may arise in the future. Being unprepared seems to be one of my worst nightmares so I try to do what I can to avoid unexpected outcomes. I really try to do my best and that is why when something still goes wrong, I can’t help but ask, “Wasn’t it enough?” It’s so frustrating whenever you know you’ve done everything you could and you still fail in the end. Sometimes I wish I never prepared at all. There are so many people who hardly plan and do what they’re supposed to be doing but who manage to make things work out for them later on. What’s the use of your effort when your efforts have no matching recompense? This kind of process applies not only in work but also relationships. You can invest so much in a relationship and practically devote everything you’ve got only to hurt the one you love the most. You can try to please pe...

There is a pitfall in being a loving person. When we picture a loving person, we often picture someone who is selfless and self-sacrificing, someone who doesn’t care about what happens to him or to her if it means being able to love other people. We picture a person who has no worries being harmed for as long as one’s beloved is happy. While it is important not to forget that love is unselfish, we should also remember that love does not mean neglecting to take care of oneself. Love is not a cruel thing that enslaves us and punishes us. Love is not something that is unconcerned with what we’d become. While love sees and protects others, it also defends itself. Love knows that in order to take care of one’s beloved, one also has to protect oneself. It isn’t selfish to desire to be strong so you could be of service to those you love. It isn’t selfish to think about the value of your life as you also think about the good of your loved ones. You are not alone in this world. As much as yo...