The Face Behind The Mask

Last year, I learned firsthand how easy it is to hide behind a mask. We all do it—whether it’s on social media or in everyday life. We smile, pose, and present a version of ourselves to the world that looks perfect on the surface. But behind the mask, there’s often a completely different story.

I was going through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Anxiety gripped me so tightly that I felt like I was drowning. My mind was in a constant spiral. I felt nauseous all the time, I couldn’t eat, and I lost 15 pounds before I had to force myself to eat just to maintain weight. It was terrifying, and it went on for months. This started two weeks before my wife and I were supposed to go on a dream trip to Italy. We almost canceled the trip because of the state I was in. But we decided to go, and looking back, I’m so glad we did. It was an incredible trip, one that I’ll never forget.

But here's the thing: even in the midst of that trip, I was still battling intense anxiety. My mind kept spinning, I still felt nauseous, and I was forcing myself to eat so I wouldn’t waste away. I tried my best to stay present, for my wife’s sake, not wanting to let her down. We took pictures, as anyone would on a trip like that, and naturally, we posted them on social media to share the experience. This was one of those pictures.

When you look at it, you see a happy guy with his beautiful wife, living it up in Italy. If I were on the outside looking at that photo, I’m sure I’d "wish" I were him too. Who wouldn’t want to be in Italy with their spouse, smiling, enjoying life to the fullest?

But that smile wasn't completely real. It was a mask. Behind it was a struggle I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

You’d never know I was going through the darkest, most challenging time of my life. You’d never guess that I was fighting a battle in my mind every second of every day just to keep the fear from swallowing me whole.

The faces we show the world—whether in real life or on social media—don’t always reflect the reality behind them. In everyday interactions, we put on a brave face, smiling through struggles, and on social media, we take it a step further by presenting the best version of ourselves—the happiest, most attractive, and seemingly perfect life. But behind the filters, posts, and everyday conversations, life often tells a very different story.

It’s easy to compare ourselves to what we see online or to how others appear in person, and to feel like we’re the only ones struggling. But everyone has their own battles, even if they’re hidden behind smiles or filtered images. We can’t base our self-worth on these curated versions of life because they only show a small part of the bigger picture. Real life is much more complex than what we choose to display.

The truth is, you know the struggles you’re facing, the pain you feel, the doubts, and the battles you fight behind closed doors. And yet, we take all that—the full reality of our lives—and compare it to someone else’s curated perfection. It’s no wonder we end up feeling less than we are. We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.

I’m not against sharing your experiences or posting on social media; it can be a powerful way to connect and inspire others. However, we must understand that your reality, with all its struggles, does not diminish your worth in comparison to someone else’s seemingly perfect life. We don’t need to seek approval from others or measure our value against what we see, because life is more than the snapshots we share online. And so are you.

We don’t have to live up to the world’s standards of perfection, because Jesus and the cross have already made us perfect. It’s not about our own efforts or being flawless in the eyes of others. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has already made us whole, forgiven, and righteous in God’s sight. Through Him, we find our true perfection—not in what we do, but in what He has done for us.

God created each of us to be unique, with our own journey, strengths, and yes, struggles. Those struggles are part of life, and though they can be difficult, they help shape us into the people God wants us to become. They teach us endurance, compassion, and, most importantly, reliance on Him.

Instead of measuring ourselves against someone else’s highlight reel, we should anchor our worth in Jesus. In Him, we are already enough. We are loved, known, and accepted, even with all our imperfections and fears. God doesn’t ask us to have it all together; He calls us to trust Him, knowing that through our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).

And this is where we can make a real impact on the world: through kindness, empathy, and sharing the good news of Jesus. When we show kindness to others, we don’t know the hidden battles they might be fighting behind their own masks. That person who seems to have it all together may be struggling just as much as you are, if not more. Your simple act of compassion, your words of encouragement, might be exactly what they need to remind them that they are not alone.

So, let’s stop striving for a perfection that doesn’t exist and start seeing ourselves—and others—through God’s eyes. Let’s be kind, be present, and be a light in someone else’s darkness, knowing that God works through broken vessels. His love shines brightest not when we have it all together, but when we understand He is enough for us, even in our brokenness.