How Can I Be Transparent In My Friendships

 By: Paula Short

 Before allowing others to see inside of us, we have to accept who we are. If we are not comfortable with who we are on the inside, we will always hide behind walls. There was a time When I lived without God in my life, and when my eyes were spiritually opened, I was deeply ashamed. I was amazed that God would love and accept me just as I am.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." NIV

Practicing intimacy in friendships is all about learning to be transparent. Being raw and transparent with others allows them to see what is inside. It's letting our vulnerability be seen. Scary idea, isn't it? 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 NIV

God looked down on me when I was utterly helpless! And He loved me.  

 

If we can learn to live our life through our Father's eyes, we will accept ourselves as imperfect people. We will learn to accept others as imperfect people too. We will be able to take off our masks and allow others to do the same.

How do you respond to people who are being transparent? People who are letting it all hang out with no pretenses or masks? 

Next time someone comes along with no masks on, with their emotions and negative traits hanging out, take time to really check them out. Now love them because God does.

 Now love yourself. That's easier said than done, too, isn't it? Seek to see the real you. See the you that is imperfect. 

It will be a freeing experience for you. You will be on the way to accepting yourself and others.  

I've made friends I would never have imagined. I've shared my insecurities with people who used them against me. I have reached out in friendship only to be rejected completely. It hurts. But for every time  I've been hurt, I have a list of times that I have been blessed.

Being raw and transparent is not for every friendship. You do not have to lay your heart bare for everyone. Intimacy is different for every relationship. I have one close friend in Christ. I can go to her with anything without being condemned or judged.

Our very best friend can be Jesus. In fact, he is our best friend. He invites us to be vulnerable, raw, and transparent. He wants us to bring our ugly cries and get real with him. He knows our hearts, and He longs for us to know His. It is a forever love that will sustain us through everything.