You Don’t Have to Pretend You’re Okay

Real stories. Honest faith. Gentle reminders of God’s grace.

You Don’t Have to Pretend You’re Okay

This is a place where I can share pieces of my story—moments of faith, pain, healing, growth, and the things God continues to teach me along the way.

Some of these stories are easy to share. Others are more personal.

But I’ve learned that sometimes the things we’ve been afraid to talk about are the very things someone else needs to hear.

So, I’m choosing to be honest.

Not because I have everything figured out, but because I’ve learned that I don’t have to.

🤍 I Thought I Had to Be Okay

There was a time in my younger years when I was hurting deeply, but I didn’t know how to admit it.

On the outside, I was doing what I was supposed to do.

I was helping at church. I was helping my parents. I was serving, smiling, and continuing to do what I had always done.

My parents were pastors, and because of that, I felt like I was supposed to know how to be strong.

I thought I had to be the “perfect” pastor’s daughter.

I thought I had to have everything together.

But inside, I was hurting.

And I was ashamed to admit it.

I remember wondering:

“Why am I feeling this way?”

Why didn’t I feel God the way I thought I should?

Why didn’t I have the same desire to raise my hands during worship?

Why didn’t I feel the Holy Spirit like I had before?

I thought something must have been wrong with me.

Maybe I wasn’t spiritual enough.

Maybe I had done something to deserve what I was going through.

Maybe I wasn’t being the Christian I was supposed to be.

I was carrying pain, but I didn’t want anyone to know.

I thought I had to keep going.

I thought I had to look okay.

But eventually, I had to be honest with myself.

I Needed to Be Honest

I couldn’t keep pretending that everything was okay when it wasn’t.

I needed to acknowledge that I was hurting.

I needed to be honest about what I was feeling—even the things I didn’t understand.

And you know what?

God already knew.

He knew what was happening inside my heart even when I didn’t know how to put it into words.

Sometimes we think being honest about our pain means we’re being weak in our faith.

But I’ve learned that it doesn’t.

Sometimes the most honest prayer we can pray is:

“God, I don’t understand what I’m feeling right now.”

Or:

“God, I don’t feel You the way I used to.”

Or even:

“God, I’m hurting, and I don’t know what to do.”

We don’t have to pretend with God.

He already sees the parts of our hearts that we try to hide from everyone else.

And being honest doesn’t mean we’re giving up on God.

Sometimes, being honest is the beginning of bringing our real hearts to Him.

You Can Love God and Still Be Hurting

If you’re hurting right now, please don’t feel ashamed because you don’t feel okay.

You can love God and still be hurting.

You can serve God and still have questions.

You can worship and still have a broken heart.

You can have faith and still admit that something inside of you needs healing.

And if you don’t feel like raising your hands during worship one day, you don’t have to pretend.

Be honest with God.

Talk to Him.

Tell Him what you’re feeling.

Let Him meet you there.

Because God doesn’t need a perfect version of you.

He wants your honest heart.

What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

Looking back now, I wish I could sit beside that younger version of myself and tell her:

You don’t have to be perfect.

You don’t have to hide your pain.

You don’t have to be ashamed of what you’re feeling.

God is not disappointed in you because you’re hurting.

And maybe someone reading this needs to hear the same thing today.

You don’t have to pretend you’re okay.

You don’t have to have all the answers.

You don’t have to understand everything you’re going through.

Just be honest.

Be honest with yourself.

Be honest with God.

And allow yourself to acknowledge what is really happening inside your heart.

🙏 A Simple Prayer

Lord,

Help me be honest about what I’m feeling instead of hiding it or pretending that everything is okay.

Give me the courage to bring my hurt, my questions, my confusion, and my fears to You.

Remind me that I don’t have to be perfect to come to You.

Meet me where I am and help me trust You even when I don’t understand what I’m feeling.

Help me remember that I don’t have to pretend with You.

Amen. 🤍

🌸 Carry This With You

You don’t have to pretend you’re okay for God.

He already knows your heart.

Be honest with yourself.

Be honest with God.

And let Him meet you right where you are.

With love,

Yolanda 🌸
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