Incommunicado While Incognito–My Hiding Place

Incommunicado While Incognito–My Hiding Place

I’m incognito at Walmart at 6:30 in the morning, which means I have no makeup on, wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap on my head, and ragged ill-matched clothes. I’m in a hurry and I’m in hiding. I can’t talk to anyone looking like this. Surely no one will recognize me. “Hi, Karen, how are you?” Busted. Incommunicado while incognito no more. “I’m fine. How are you?”

We all have had a hiding place at one time or another. It’s that place inside of us where we hide our weakness, that flaw, and yes, even our sin. It’s too painful to acknowledge, so we hide it from ourselves, others, and even God (we think). We avoid going there because it would then require something from us like vulnerability and hard work, and we’re unwilling to pay that price. Besides, we don’t have time for that! So we ignore it and choose not to deal with it. Incommunicado while incognito. We don’t talk about it and we cover it up.

It’s human nature to retreat from anything that would reveal the ugly in us. It’s easier to convince ourselves that we really don’t have a problem, so we pretend it’s not there and sink ourselves into more important projects. However, God knows the truth about us. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” (Luke 8:17).

We expend a great amount of emotional energy in hiding. Doesn’t it make more sense to direct that energy to truth and health? Until we become emotionally honest with ourselves, we will not experience God’s help and healing.

Emotional health and freedom will never be attained until we realize we don’t have it all together. That means taking time to humble ourselves before God and those closest to us, admitting we have a problem and need help, and willing to put forth the effort and commitment to change, regardless of how long it takes. Until we take these steps, we handicap ourselves needlessly.

Whatever that ugly thing is in our life that we refuse to confront and bring out into the light will ultimately contribute to our downfall.

God’s Word goes deep when we remove the No Trespassing sign from our heart and take time in His presence. The Holy Spirit will uncover, pierce, and cut away the ugly. This emotional surgery is the catalyst for spiritual, physical, and relational health as well, so we can better serve Him and others with joy.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12-13).

Oh, what a relief it is! No more avoiding, ignoring, pretending, or hiding! No more incommunicado while incognito! Just openness and honesty with myself, God, and others. Why did it take me so long? And by the way, God is my one and only hiding place now.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).