Wearing Masks



What comes to your mind when I talk about wearing a mask? Did you think I was talking about Covid-19 facemasks? Did you think I was talking about a costume party or trick-or-treating? Nope, I’m talking about the façade, disguise, or invisible mask that I used to wear to hide the hurt, pain and addiction inside me.

By Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Bible Church, Rogers, Celebrate Recovery ministry TEAM Training coach, 9/23/20




I have grown up in the church, attended hundreds of Christian related meetings, led others in Bible studies, led people in singing praises to God, and in general just pretended to be doing great when things inside me were not so great. I didn’t realize how hiding my hurt and addiction created more problems than it solved. In fact, it didn’t solve any of my problems. The hurt of my divorce, my hidden addiction to pornography, and my other character defects acted like a volcano that could erupt at any time. Then I came to Celebrate Recovery where I learned to do just the opposite of wearing that happy mask that kept all my junk hidden. I learned that exposure meant healing. God already knew my hurts, habits, and hang-ups, and he was just waiting for me to admit that I had problems and that my life was unmanageable. That’s why I keep coming back to Celebrate Recovery. I need to keep exposing my hurts and issues. Exposure brings healing and keeps me out of denial. In the beginning of my recovery I was scared to go to open share. I was fearful of doing an inventory. Now, I’m ready to start my 6th step study and continue to keep my life exposed to God and to people I trust. 

How about you? Are you keeping secrets? Are there things in your life that you are trying to hide from God and others? Don’t let this pandemic cause you to isolate and go back into hiding. I am SO THANKFUL that we are meeting in person again! I know that it’s not exactly the same as before, but there is something special about being in the presence of my forever family where I can take off my invisible mask and be who God has made me to be…FREE from my hurts, habits, and hang-ups!

“The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.” Proverbs 20:27 NLT 

“O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.” Psalms 69:5 NLT 

“For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV 

“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” Luke 12:2-3 NLT 


I hope this email finds you in a good place, but if not, come this Friday night to Celebrate Recovery and hand over those hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Find the healing God has in store for you. Keep your life in the light. I love you guys and I will see you soon!  
Click HERE to listen to "Who You Say I Am" by Hillsong Worship

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