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Fake It Till You Make It!

By Jenniffer Mann

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Have you ever been in a position where you don’t know something but have given the impression that you do?! Many people have admitted to acquiring a new job on the basis of a set of skills they don’t actually possess. They were so convincing in the interview however, they landed the job! 

The expression ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ has been around for as long as I can remember and became more popular with the television show, The Apprentice where self-appointed entrepreneurs, set lofty expectations of their capabilities, in a bid to win the ultimate prize of a £250,000 investment into their own business idea and a contract with business mogul, Alan Sugar. As the series progressed, it became evident pretty quickly which contestants were unable to demonstrate the skill set they had sold themselves on. 

The problem with the ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ mind-set, is that it encourages us to be dishonest, whether that be about our accomplishments or our feelings. For example, perpetually wearing a smile, when we feel nothing but turbulence on the inside will eventually manifest itself negatively and effect our mental or physical health or both! Similarly, pretending to have a skill set you do not possess amongst other things causes anxiety to go through the roof when you can’t deliver and face the inevitable path to exposure.

The Bible is very clear on the importance of being honest and more deeply about being authentic. Every single one of us has our own identity in Jesus Christ. Too often we will talk ourselves out of being who we know we should be, because we’re fearful that the real us will not be good enough or accepted. There is wonderful reassurance in God’s word however, which reminds us that before we were even born, God knew every detail about us.

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” (Jeremiah 1:5)

With God, there is absolutely no need to ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ He is only interested in knowing the authentic you, regardless of what that looks like.  In the same book of Jeremiah 31:3 we read: 

 “…yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” 

Essentially God is telling us, I love you! I always have and I always will. He goes even further in the book of Romans 8:38-39, where He says that there is nothing that can separate us from His love and emphasises this by saying that not even life or death, anything in the past, present, or future, no power spiritual or otherwise, could prevent Him from loving us. Where else can we find such unconditional love! If we are really truthful, we are not that way with each other, there is always an element of masking or withholding because showing who we really are may mean rejection. 

As you go through this week, I really want to remind you to think on last week’s encouragement, where we focused on Jesus Christ, the son, being the only way to God the Father. I want you to just start by telling Jesus how you feel. To have a really open and honest dialogue with Him in a way you can’t with others. Remove the mask. Be authentic in talking about all your concerns, your fears, the things that are making you anxious, and ask that He take complete control of your life and carry you in the week ahead – that you feel a calmness and peace that can only come when Jesus is in our life. 

Let’s Pray

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me. For knowing me better than I know myself and for choosing to stick with me, in my worst moments. Please teach me how to be authentic. To live a life that reflects your influence on me. Please love me to a better life and a better me.  I ask this in your precious name. Amen.

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This Week’s Song of Encouragement: 

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Comment(1)

  1. Pastor says:

    I was blessed. God help me to be authentic. Help me to be real. continue to write and be inspired.