For many people life is one big theater performance, we put on the act the whole day but always live in constant fear of our own lives when the act is done and the curtains close and we are by ourselves, we return to that familiar pain, shame, addiction to mention but a few. We are scared “little kids” behind those massive helpless curtains of our lives.  The bible in 2 Kings 5:1, tells us of such a man

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:1 ‘

Naaman was the chief military commander. As the scriptures continue to describe, he was highly regarded, a great man and a valiant soldier. He fought battles and brought victory to his nation as the Lord used him. Everything seemed to go so well with him. I can imagine how many young people wanted to be like him. With so much respect they must have greeted him in the market places. He was the man! He seemed to have it all together until something devastating is mentioned about him. He was a leper! It is explained that ancient leprosy began as small, red spots on the skin. I imagine Naaman covering them so nobody noticed, probably anticipating that soon he would work things out. Before too long the spots got bigger and started to turn white. Leprosy was a horrible disease that would slowly disfigure a person and eat up their body.  Behind the curtains, he was a dying man!

One of the most famous models, an envied face on all high ranked magazines in the US and a successful business personality shocked the world when she was hosted on a TD Jakes talk show.  She shared her struggles and her “behind the curtain life”, she always kept up the “act” as she made new headlines, signed autographs and gave key note interviews to media houses. However, in private, locked in her roomed she always returned to the same emptiness. After the lights went off and the curtains closed, she struggled being a product of a rape, her mother hated her so bad and in trying to reunite with her father he had tried to rape her too. She was one lonely person who cried herself every day to bed.

These two examples paint a life many people live.  Admirable and gifted in the public but dying daily on the inside. Some have mastered the art of keeping up appearances. The have accepted it and have decided that is how it will be with them. A number walk back to their homes only to be found in the corner of their rooms crying all night. The pain of their emotional debt hits them hard. They can’t open up to anybody because of the fear and the shame carried in some of the things they face. I have seen church ministers commit suicide, after apparently leading “successful” ministries. Today’s kind of leprosy is people struggling with sexual vices, marrieds being adulterous, people becoming professional thieves and exercising greed, liars, victims of all forms of abuse among other things.

But like Naaman and the model, there is a need to seek help. To put behind what people know you to be and ask God to heal that place behind the curtains.  To unmask and deal with these issues of your life. How about permanently putting down the curtains.

Gloria is the Director of the Reach Centre, A Ministry of the Finepearls Ministries with a focus on creating a safe place for people from all walks of life to heal together using a recovery group model. A Wife, Mother and Economist by profession she is passionate about seeing people healed, restored and whole again relating with God free of burdens. Listen to Gloria’s Hearttalk podcast and read her weekly Hearttalk blog.