Let it go

It's interesting how the experiences we've had in our past shape us into who we are today. We are just a collection of past experiences all put together in one. Let me give you a few examples...
If a girl was abused, whether that be physically, sexually, or mentally, by a father, uncle, or even brother, she will never be able to have a true trusting relationship with a man. She will forever have the mentality that she isn't worth anything but what she has been used for in the past.
A guy who is never able to get the approval of his father will feel like he's never good enough. No matter what he does, his father is never happy, so he feels worthless.
A girl who was given up for adoption when she was young just because it was an inconvenience at the time will never feel loved and worth it. She will never be able to see herself as the wonderful person she is because she was given away so carelessly.
A girl who is constantly being made fun of at school because she's a little overweight and doesn't look as pretty as the other girls in her class will never feel beautiful. She will never know the true beauty God has given her because everyone around her is telling her otherwise.

All of these people are around you. You just don't even realize it. They make themselves look the way the do and act the way they do because they don't know otherwise. They may be hurting deep inside, but is too afraid to show it, so they put on this show for everyone so no one will know what's going on on the inside.
I think that's partly what is wrong with the church. We are too afraid to show our struggles and weaknesses with everyone that we put on this show. No one knows who we really are on the inside because we never let anyone see what's on the inside. If we shared these things with our friends and family members, I think it would deepen our relationships with each other. Because many times, there are tons of people around you going through the same thing, but you have no idea because they're hiding themselves as well. And if we can't share these things with the people that are closest to us, how are we supposed to share it with people who are distant to us. There are non-Christians around us who may come to us, seeking, but they don't get what they want because we're busy putting on our show. They're afraid we'll judge them because we all seem perfect. That they can't mess up around us, when sometimes we mess up way more than they do.
So instead of just passing someone in the hallway and looking away quickly before you actually make eye contact, I would challenge you to smile and say hi. They could be hurting so much inside, but no one has ever reached out a hand to see what's happening. They don't have any real friends that are there for them. And they very well may be struggling with the same things you are. Be Jesus to the people around you!
I would also challenge you to look at yourself. What are the things you do because of what has happened to you in the past?

I was at a youth camp this past week, and that's what we talked about. We let our secrets out in the open. We told people who we really are and the things we struggle with. Let me tell you, it was amazing! it was so incredible to get that lifted off my chest! And it was also amazing to see how I was not alone. There were so many people with the same struggles as me that I would've never expected!

I've always been so concerned with the way I look. I was always making sure that the clothes I wore were not out of style and I never went out of the house without my hair and makeup done. I never understood why. God showed me why this week...
When I was 7 years old, I went into foster care and was later adopted when I was 10. Through all that, my parents could've cleaned up their act and gotten me back, but they never did. They chose to live their life in sin and that hurt me deeply. I never knew what I did that made them not love me. I always thought of how i could've changed myself to make sure they loved me and would've chosen me. And in return, I was always afraid that people wouldn't accept me for who I was. That I always thought I had to look good in order to be accepted by people, because if I didn't, I was afraid they would leave me too. And this week, God showed me that no matter who I am, no matter what I do, He will always accept and love me. He will never leave me because He loves me more than anything. I never have to prove myself to anyone because I have my wonderful God.

look at yourself. What are the things you find yourself doing that you don't understand. Ask God to show you the lies you've let yourself believe because you've been hurt in your past. Reach out to the people around you because they may be hurting every bit as much as you are. Stop pretending. Be who you are and hold nothing back.