Seeing the UGLY Truth

Posted: 31. 05. 2015 | Author: Ellie Sharpe | Category: Inspirational

Today is a NEW day of FREEDOM. Yesterday, someone who loves me, said something to me. In fact, Jesus used this person to speak it. The person said, “You must NOT believe even, the MOST well dressed lie. Something broke in me, when this was said. I cannot even explain it. My husband and I were praying and talking. He said, “Honey, remember that movie we watched?” I wondered which one, and asked accordingly. He could not recall the title, but started referring to actors, and movies they may have played in. So, I went on a hunt to figure out which movie it was. Finally, it was revealed that the movie was called, “The UGLY Truth.”

In this movie, a woman who is a studio producer, encounters a man who is a radio show host, making a transition to TV. Now, this man is NOT a bad man per se. But, He is NOT exactly her kind of man either. They are like fire and ice. Eventually, one thing leads to another, and they fall in “love.” Now, it is VERY much a typical world film. Looking past that, at the core it is 2 hurt people coming together to hurt less. In relation to my LIFE, I had to face the UGLY truth about some things. TRUTH does not always look or sound friendly. But, TRUTH, even spoken brutally, has some purpose.

I personally, receive A LOT better when someone speaks TRUTH in kindness, with compassion and understanding. Maybe that is just me, but I doubt it. 😉 The worst TRUTH I have ever had to face, is LIFE will NEVER be picture perfect. No matter how GREAT the picture may appear, there are always hidden flaws. Often the diamonds with those hidden flaws sparkle the most, and are most beautiful. I have had a picture in my head, that I don’t even think I came up with. I laid down the desire to have that. But, until yesterday the picture still kind of stayed in the background. NOT anymore though, and to GOD be the GLORY.

I lived in a house where we were not supposed to “air our dirty laundry.” Yet, if the laundry never reached the air, no matter how much it was washed, it might NOT get clean. Our pictures looked great. But, behind closed doors, there were SO many secrets. Some of them came out, and usually I was to blame. So, I became hurt and angry and at times vengeful. I was not the ONLY one, but for some reason, I was the most OBVIOUS one. The UGLY truth is, I was a brat a lot of the time. Because, I just did not know how to do things differently.

Some thought I enjoyed it. I suppose it could look that way. But, what I really wanted was a LOVING and HAPPY FAMILY. I did NOT want to hide behind the picture. In fact, for parents who talked about Jesus, I wanted THAT. I craved to SEE that, and stop seeing the ugliness. GOD did not and does not see me as a brat. Yet, He does not and will not permit me to justify my behavior either. I realized that I was the teen who took boyfriends out to dark places, just to “get away” with something. I had no clue how BAD of an idea that was. It was NOT discussed, and when I tried, it was shut down.

I’m going on 39 years old. There is A LOT I have done wrong in my life. But, to GOD all that matters is what is done right. He erases ALL the errors, and keeps no record of ANY wrong. So, why do we? The UGLY truth IS the BEST DRESSED LIE. Meaning, the things that come from guilt, shame, hurt, anger, and all negative emotions, are what the enemy counts on to snare us.

Today begins a BRAND NEW SEASON of TRUTH. Not the UGLY TRUTH anymore. Ready for the TRUTH of Heaven? Someone recently spoke of Cinderella. I had know idea that this story originally had a Godly theme. But, it does make sense to me, on so many levels. I heard the same person say she felt more like the ugly step sister. I believe JESUS wants us to understand, WE don’t have to be just Cinderella or the UGLY step sister. We could have aspects of both. BUT, when ALL of these are surrendered b4 God, then our prince takes His place.

The last 3 days have been VERY interesting. Life is a lot like the ocean. It is beautiful, deep at times, sparkling, has danger, and can be healing. Time at the BEACH is always a gift. I could not help but think of how the weekend began. It began with utter chaos, and everyone NOT wanting to go. So, of course, WE knew that WE would go. Then, there were appointments, and misunderstandings. There were a few things that could have been quite complicated. But God. The first place we stayed was okay. Out of the many places we had been, it was NOT the worst. We enjoyed a wonderful conference. Then, today, while in the water, something happened to us.

I realized that when I began FACING the UGLY TRUTH, my husband did too. Plus, our kids, and ultimately others we would come in contact with. You SEE, the UGLIEST TRUTH when surrendered before God will bring healing, when WE see HIS way. David was in the ocean, and we began to check the time, knowing there was a plan to head back. But, it is funny how God moves in the process. He ALWAYS SEES the PURE TRUTH. He gives us GRACE while HE ERASES the UGLY. He replaces HELL with HEAVEN, but ONLY when WE receive it.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/scripture_about_ugly_truth

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 1:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 10:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You shall not murder.

Genesis 1:26-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Revelation 6:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. …

Revelation 3:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

1 John 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

James 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 13:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 8:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 1:26-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 8:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 3:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. …

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 6:25-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. …

Daniel 9:24-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. …

Proverbs 31:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 51:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Job 31:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

Exodus 20:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall have no other gods before me.

Genesis 2:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …

 

UGLY TRUTHS…

I don’t always act like a GREAT wife, mom, friend, daughter, and more.

I am NOT perfect.

I am NOT always happy.

PURE TRUTH…

I AM A GREAT MOM, because JESUS is GREAT in me.

HE is perfect, even when I falter. He loves my surrender before HIM.

I am ALWAYS CONTENT and FULL OF JOY, BECAUSE HE LOVES ME. No matter how it appears.

I was thinking today about a shattered mirror. So many sharp pieces that can cut us. But, surrendered before God, WE see HIS image, as He places each piece in it’s proper place. Such a GIFT to be LOVED by HIM. Others will let us down sometimes. THAT is inevitable. We cannot change another person. But, WE can LOVE them anyway. THIS is how they will SEE the pure TRUTH and turn from the UGLY.