Being Authentic

In a world where filters and curated lives flood our screens, being real can feel like a forgotten art. We’re surrounded by images of perfection—perfect jobs, perfect relationships, perfect homes. And it’s easy to feel the pressure to measure up, to present an image rather than living our truth. But, when we allow ourselves to be real and authentic, we embrace life in a way that’s both freeing and deeply fulfilling.

Life isn’t always perfect. 

In fact, it's often a little messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright hard. When we’re authentic, we let go of the pressure to look a certain way or to have it all together. We embrace our journey, imperfections and all, because we know that’s what makes us real.

One of my favorite verses that reminds me of this is Psalm 139:14: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” God didn’t make us to be carbon copies of each other. Each of us has our own strengths, quirks, and life experiences that make us unique. Being authentic means embracing these unique qualities and recognizing that we don’t have to fit into any mold—God’s work in us is already amazing.

There’s a unique freedom that comes from living a life aligned with who we truly are. 

When we drop the act and stop trying to be what others expect, we find a sense of peace. We’re not meant to carry the burden of pleasing everyone, and we don’t need to pretend to be something we’re not.

Galatians 1:10 puts it well: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Living authentically isn’t about impressing others; it’s about living a life that honors who God created us to be. It’s about being willing to let people see us—our real struggles, our real joys, and our real victories.

Sometimes we think that being authentic means having all the answers or always being strong. 

But in reality, it means admitting when we don’t have it all figured out and being open about our weaknesses. There’s power in vulnerability, and there’s courage in admitting that we don’t always have it together.

The Bible reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” When we’re open about our struggles, we allow God’s grace to fill those spaces in our lives. We show others that our strength doesn’t come from being perfect; it comes from relying on a perfect God.

Being real impacts more than just our own peace; it transforms our relationships too. 

When we show up as our true selves, we give others permission to do the same. We create spaces where others feel comfortable sharing their own stories, their own struggles, and their own victories. And that’s a beautiful thing.

True friendships and connections aren’t built on the surface—they’re built when people feel safe enough to be their real selves. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” When we’re authentic, we create meaningful bonds that help each other grow, support each other’s dreams, and work through life’s challenges together.

Living authentically isn’t just a way to live more peacefully; it’s a way to honor God. 

When we embrace who we are, we’re showing gratitude for His unique design. We’re letting go of the fear that tells us we’re not enough, and we’re trusting that God knew exactly what He was doing when He created us.

Let’s remember the words in Jeremiah 1:5: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” God has known us, chosen us, and loved us from the very beginning. And He loves the real us, not the versions we think we need to present to the world.

Embracing authenticity is a journey that we walk daily. 

Some days, we might feel bold and unafraid to show our true selves. Other days, it might be a struggle to let down our walls. And that’s okay. What matters is that we keep moving forward, taking small steps toward living a life that’s honest, unfiltered, and full of grace.

In a world that pushes perfection, let’s be the ones who choose realness. Let’s be the people who are unafraid to show up as we are, who let God’s light shine through our imperfections, and who find peace in being exactly who He made us to be.