Sometimes I want people to think I’m a better person than I actually am, especially when that person is in a position of authority over me.

One time, when I went to get a physical, the doctor and I were talking about my diet. She asked me what I usually ate for breakfast, and I lied. I typically don’t eat breakfast, but I didn’t want to get a lecture about it. So, I was like, “You know, I usually eat a bowl of oatmeal, with toast and a glass of orange juice.” As someone who grew up in the ‘80s, when fat was bad and fiber was good, it was the healthiest breakfast I could think of. She just looked at me and shook her head. I was like, “What?” And she goes, “Seriously? All carbohydrates? You may as well eat a candy bar. At least the nuts would have some protein!”

I was shocked! I was offended by her insinuation that my fake diet was killing me. I didn’t want to feel inadequate or ashamed, which is why I lied in the first place. I hate feeling inadequate.

To feel that way toward other humans is one thing. But sometimes, we feel this way toward God, too. We aren’t completely honest when it comes to who we are and what we struggle with, and we lie to God. (Of course, God knows the truth, so we’re actually just lying to ourselves.) Why do we do this? Probably because we assume that God is going to act the way people do. As if God would say to me, “Seriously, Rocky,all carbs,” and then I would be humiliated in his presence.

But the great thing about God is, I won’t be humiliated. As a matter of fact, I will be loved and helped. I won’t have to be ashamed to stand in front of God, because he gave everything so I could be there, and he did the same for you!

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:26- 31