Gò0dNews for Everyone
Truth Above Insecurity
T
by Sheneka Land
he middle-aged mom was excited about her new
saddened that she had lost trust in one she had thought
friendship. Her husband’s career transition had
would become a trusted friend and soulmate.
required relocating far away from their beloved
While it is easy to judge in haste, I wonder how often
church and a trustworthy network of friends she had shared
our bouts with insecurity steer us toward pretension and
life with for more than twenty years. Finally, through an
compromise…? After all, who doesn’t want to feel more
invitation into a ministry project, she had met another
important? Who doesn’t want to prove one’s own value
woman who held a similar life story, and the two of them
and worth? Who among us has not been guilty of telling a
shared related interests. Maybe this person will become the
“white lie” or adding a little “tidbit” to bring a little more
first in a new trusted inner circle, she thought to herself. A
adventure, or oddly enough, “credibility” to our stories?
friendship that will offer mutual prayer support, accountability,
Have you ever been to a gender reveal party or baby shower
and encouragement.
and it seemed as if every mother present had a pregnancy, labor, and delivery story just a little bit bigger than the next? Maybe just over in the next room, the men were also being a bit bombastic as they shared their own fishing and hunting expeditions. Humanity seems to invite us into these insecure spaces where we feel our identities need a little boost of importance. The caveat is to realize that small things tend to grow. Our telling of small untruths will likely grow into habitual patterns that will discredit our reputation and prove us undeserving of trust. Additionally, we can become self-deceived, not even mindful that others are more aware of our inconsistencies than we are. Further, if we represent a faith community, our misrepresentation of truth
Within the first few weeks of working together,
can create a scar that will reflect negatively upon a group
the newcomer noticed elements of inconsistency in
who endeavors to gain loyalty and trust as they minister to
conversations with her new friend. Oh well, maybe she’s just
others. Not only do we hurt ourselves, but we may hinder
forgetful, she surmised. However, as the weeks and months
kingdom work as well.
unfolded, she noticed an unsettling pattern in conversations
Temptation to be pretentious has come to all, but we can
with her newfound friend; the exact same stories or events
walk the road of truth and authenticity so we become true
were often repeated, but details of the events became
and loyal friends. “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
different with each retelling. Time frames of the retellings
whatever is right…” (Philippians 4:8a, NASB).
clearly didn’t align with the whole story, and in some changed. Disappointed and disillusioned, the lonely newcomer slowly removed herself from the relationship,
30 // May 2022
About The Author
instances, major portions of the story had been radically Sheneka Land is an ordained minister, community service chaplain, and a graduate of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary where she earned her MDiv. She is co-author of From Rejection to Validation (pathwaybookstore.com). She and her husband, Jon, currently reside in Cleveland, TN. Sheneka can be found on Facebook at Strokes of Hope.
