According to Dictionary.com, expose means to “make (something) visible by uncovering it; reveal the true, objectionable nature of (someone or something)”.

This past June, I went to a retreat where I knew I would be able to unlock my next level of freedom. I anticipated shedding some ‘weight’ and gaining the strength and boldness I needed to proceed to the next level. What I did not expect, was to be exposed. Naked. Vulnerable. Uncomfortable. I knew most of the attendees (they are my sisters) and I knew that they were trustworthy; but because of all of the reasons people have trust and identity issues, I still did not act is if I was around people who were family to me.

I don’t know anybody who likes being exposed. Do you? People over-perform to cover the parts they don’t want others to see. People wear masks, daily, to hide the parts they least like about themselves. I recently realized, I’ve adapted so much for so long to appease others, I don’t know how to be myself. When we perform, we forfeit our freedom. What we’ve covered isn’t allowed the opportunity to heal. Have you ever noticed, the longer you keep a bandage on a wound, the longer it stays soggy-looking and the longer it takes to heal? The sooner you take the bandage off, the sooner the new skin grows over the spot you wounded. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. The things we suppress cause us to oppress ourselves. Then, we have fooled ourselves to think someone else oppressed us. Decades and centuries ago, yes, our ancestors were oppressed and some people are in situations now where someone else oppresses them. However, many of us REMAIN prisoners of oppression within ourselves because we would rather “save face” than be exposed and heal for real. Have you been holding yourself hostage? It’s not helping you and it sure isn’t helping those who have been assigned to you.

There is freedom in exposure. The moment I admitted it was silly of me to not even think I could ask my sisters if I could have some cereal, was the moment I felt like I was standing in the middle of a busy highway in my underwear. Exposed. Then, I figured, well, since I’m out here, I may as well tell where this came from. When I shared how deep that pride was, pride no longer had authority over me. Although I felt naked, I felt safe. My sisters didn’t judge me. They only gave the support and love I needed to further validate I was in a safe space. See, when we don’t want to admit what has us captive, it continues to have power over us. I refuse to let anything put me in a choke hold when God created me to have power, authority, and dominion over EVERY thing in the earth.

That entire weekend I was exposed, yet celebrated. It wasn’t just negative things; God exposed my BEing (who He created me to BE/the anointing on my life/the way He sees me). I knew, every waking moment how much God loves and sees me. God used his daughters to love on and encourage me through the exposure. I was celebrated in my exposure. Exposure won’t feel good but freedom is on the other side of comfort. Courage is on the other side. Boldness is on the other side.

If you are ready to experience true freedom, first, check your support system. Are you ready to uncover the lies so that you can live in truth? Are you celebrated? Are you safe enough to be exposed? Freedom belongs to you. We need community. We were built for community. Find your community. It doesn’t have to look like mine but I must make it known, I can not do all this healing by myself. I was not built to do this alone and neither were you. Take care!

My support community looks a little something like this:

https://saythel.kartra.com/page/retreat

https://saythel.kartra.com/page/IvQ73

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