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The Thin Place

Can I Stop Pretending to be a Good Person? 

Can I stop pretending to be a good person? Because the truth is, the facade is exhausting. I don’t want to wait patiently on the Lord. I would rather sit at home and watch Netflix than open my doors to the least of these. And, often, Sunday mornings make me want to worship the Bed of Divine Comfort instead of pulling myself away to worship the true God.

But yet, I keep pretending like none of this is true.

If I’m having a bad day, I might mention it but I’ll quickly follow it up with a smile and, “But God is good.” Why do I do that? Of course God is good and it is good to remind ourselves of that truth but, in the moment, that’s not what I’m feeling.

I am not a good person.

I pretend like my busyness is an act of service, when, in reality, it is a selfish way of avoiding conversation where my flaws might be exposed.

I am not a good person.

I mention publicly the limited time I’ve spent in prayer without mentioned the state of apathy my heart is in or how little time I actually spend praying.

I am not a good person.

I perpetuate the idea that while, I am a sinner, I am a pretty good person. I haven’t killed anyone. I am not a thief. I’ve never committed adultery.

But I am not a good person.

I pretend like I’m a good person, like this is my natural state because, if I let my guard down, if I acted in a moment of vulnerability and showed you my true colors, you might reject me. Click To Tweet

I pretend like I’m a good person, like this is my natural state because, if I let my guard down, if I acted in a moment of vulnerability and showed you my true colors, you might reject me.

When I pretend like I am good, when I lead you to believe that I am holding it all together pretty well by myself, I present to you a false picture of who my God is and what He has done for me.

The great and merciful God did not come for the good people. He did not come for those who could handle the temptations and trials of this world. He came for the broken and the weak. He came for people like me.

We live in an age of “good” people.

When I pretend like I am good, when I lead you to believe that I am holding it all together pretty well by myself, I present to you a false picture of who my God is and what He has done for me. Click To Tweet

None of us want to acknowledge our shortcomings or sinfulness. We’d rather pretend it’s solely in the past and focus positive thinking.

And I am as guilty of that as the next person. Instead of taking my sin seriously, I try to boast in my own ability to do that right thing… most of the time. But when I refuse to take my sin seriously, I am communicating to myself and the world that I do not take my God seriously.

If I believe that Jesus meant it when he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners,” then I believe that He not only allows someone like me to come to Him, but He embraces me (Mark 2:17, ESV).

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

We don’t have to have it all together. Jesus does not expect us to be good people. He came because He knew that none, not a single one, of us were good.

What unites us as Christians isn’t our do-goodness, but a realization of the brokenness of our sin and the healing that comes from the precious blood of the Lamb who was slain on our behalf.

What unites us as Christians isn’t our do-goodness, but a realization of the brokenness of our sin and the healing that comes from the precious blood of the Lamb who was slain on our behalf. Click To Tweet

So no, I am not a good person. And I’m done pretending I am. Because when I pretend to be something I’m not, I am hiding the work that God is doing to conform me to the image of His Son by pretending to have already achieved it. I’m discouraging fellow believers who are struggling and depriving us all of the chance to gently come alongside one another in encouragement.

Will you join me? Can we stand as the broken? Can we unite, not as a trophy case for the perfect people whose struggles are behind them but as a hospital which welcomes those who bear the scars of spiritual warfare?

Can we unite, not as a trophy case for the perfect people whose struggles are behind them but as a hospital which welcomes those who bear the scars of spiritual warfare? Click To Tweet

Instead of presenting a polished person before others, let us truly come alongside one another in a pursuit of holiness. But friends, let’s start with a truth acknowledgment that we are not good people. We are a sinful people with a perfect Savior.

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The Comments

  • Ashley | Honey & Pine
    February 12, 2018

    YES GIRL! I LOVE THIS!!! I struggle with this myself sometimes and this is such an encouragement to me today.

    Reply
  • Stacey
    February 12, 2018

    I remember Paul said that we are cursed if we say “Well, I am a good person” we are not good people and can not rely on good works. Good works is not enough. You are right this mindset in today’s age need to change, but the only way it will change is by us and our reflection of Christ.

    Reply
  • Tami
    February 12, 2018

    I recently found your blog and I’m loving all of your posts, especially this one! It’s exactly what I needed to here lately. <3 Thank you so much for sharing and I can't wait to read more from you!

    Reply
  • Erin
    February 12, 2018

    This line, “But when I refuse to take my sin seriously, I am communicating to myself and the world that I do not take my God seriously.” Yikes! I definitely want to make more of Him and His sacrifice and His GOODNESS! What an excellent reminder! Thank you for this!

    Reply
  • Katie | HOSPITABLE HOMEMAKER
    February 13, 2018

    Oh Bailey! I just love your heart in this and the truth it speaks! How much healing would come to our own souls and our Christian communities (not to mention our witness) if we recognized our own lack and the grace that rises up to meet us! <3

    Reply
  • Sue Donaldson
    February 13, 2018

    The church is one big hospital. But I can forget and think I’m Florence (Nightengale) instead of realizing that I’m needed – on the stretcher, talking with the other patients!

    Reply
  • Amy @ orison orchards
    February 21, 2018

    What beautiful sentiments! I think we would all do well to remember that we are broken and in need of our Savior!

    Reply
  • Lindsay |
    February 22, 2018

    Your words speak such truth! I’m not a good person, and I’m sick of pretending to be one too. It’s when we let people into our brokenness that God’s amazing grace really shines through. The first step is admitting that we don’t have it all figured out. Thanks for this reminder.

    Reply
  • Kalyn
    February 22, 2018

    Such a transparent post – thank you for sharing! It’s so true. “Yeah, I’m a sinner, but I’m still a good person.” I totally live my life by that line of thought too.

    Reply
  • Grace
    February 25, 2018

    Thank you. …I have seriously struggled in this area….it’s was a great encouragement to me…

    Reply
  • Candy
    March 6, 2018

    Always give thanks first. Ask what is needed. Wait for answers. Might not come immediately

    Reply
  • Steph
    April 14, 2019

    I came across your blog when I’m browsing some “pretending” quoted on Pinterest. Wow. I can totally relate to everything you’ve said on your blog. It’s actually exhausting to pretend that you’ve got everything together just because you’re a christian & most people expect you to always be at you best when in fact, you’re not. ?

    Reply
  • Jacqueline J Hopfensperger
    June 4, 2021

    Thank you,thank you thank you! This needed to be said. When I read this I wanted to shout THIS IS ME!

    Reply
  • Arnica
    June 10, 2021

    NEEDED THIS SO BAD🥺❤️

    Reply
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Hello, I’m Bailey
about me

Hello, I’m Bailey

The Thin Place was born out of a season of struggle. A season where I felt stretched thin and desperately longed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The goodness of God showed up in unexpected ways. During that season, the spiritual disciplines laid out in Scripture, the traditions of the Church, and the reminders of His faithfulness seen in liturgial living and the feasts and seasons of the Church calendar all opened my eyes to the hope we have in Christ.

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