How do you become your true self and show up authentically? Do the mixed messages you hear stop you from allowing the real you to come forward? Laura Acuna shares how to get past shame so you can be more of your God-designed self, not less.
I had the opportunity to speak with Laura on a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective Podcast. We talked about disordered eating and the hope, help and healing available for the diet-weary soul.
Be sure to read to the end for a book giveaway!
(If there are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).
Becoming Your True Self
Laura Acuña
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look
for your truth and your wisdom; Then I’ll tell the world
what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
Psalm 119:45–46 MSG
How comfortable are you showing up as your authentic self?
One principle of healing from anything is reclaiming your voice and allowing the real you to come forward to be seen and heard.
But, in a culture that supposedly celebrates authenticity, there are plenty of mixed messages coming our way:
- Be yourself but tone it down.
- Be yourself but reign it in.
- Be yourself but be more assertive.
- Be yourself but . . .
When I was growing up, I was taught that if I attended a meeting with men at work, church or
anywhere else, the best practice was to not speak like a woman. I was advised that men like short conversations, few words, and no emotion.
If I wanted to be taken seriously, I had to somehow silence the feminine part of me when I added my voice to the mix.
Decades later, of course, I believe it’s essential to bring our full feminine selves to the conversation. Our uniquely female perspective is needed. Without it, there can be no full picture.
Jesus, our Creator, understood this, even in a culture that viewed women as property. In Jesus’s day, feminine voices were silenced—but He wouldn’t stand for it.
He did not condemn women who dared to use their voices. In fact, He empowered them to speak and act at critical moments in His ministry.
Friend, shame tells us we must contort every part of us into something different from who we are. It isn’t just what we weigh, or whether we think we are pretty enough. Shame tells us all of our being is wrong, every single bit, so you might as well fade into the background and quiet down.
Don’t you do it. Jesus called women out of the shadows and restored them just as He found them—bleeding, broken, mentally ill, sinful, and desperate. He received them when their full emotions were on display.
They didn’t have to tone themselves down or dial it back for Him to take them seriously. He doesn’t expect you to either.
If you feel invisible and pushed to the side, that isn’t how Jesus sees you. He is extending His hand to pull you out of the shadows, where shame has placed you. He wants you to become more of your God-designed self, not less.
How is God leading you to be your true self? We’d love to hear in the comments below.
SOUL FITNESS: Strengthening Your Core
How comfortable are you showing up as your authentic self? Have you picked up messages that tell you it’s best to stay small and out of the way? What is your reaction to knowing Jesus received women with their full emotions on display?
PRAYER
Father, through Jesus’s interactions with women, you encourage your daughters to become our true feminine selves. Thank you for always valuing who we are and what we bring to the table. May we honor you in all the places you send us, bringing glory to your name. Amen.
An excerpt from Still Becoming: Hope, Help and Healing for the Diet-Weary Soul by Laura Acuña
About Laura Acuna
Laura Acuña is a speaker, author, podcast host and coach. A graduate of Liberty University, she earned a degree in Christian Counseling and a minor in Biblical Studies. Married to Pat, the two are the parents of three sons, and one daughter-in-love. They became first-time grandparents to Evelyn Grace (finally a girl!) in July 2021. Laura challenges her sisters to grow up to become spiritually and emotionally mature. Her new book Still Becoming: Hope, Help and Healing for the Diet-Weary Soul.
Connect with Laura: Website / Instagram / Facebook
Book Giveaway
In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Laura is giving away a free copy of her book, Still Becoming: Hope, Help, and Healing for the Diet Weary Soul.
Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you learned about becoming your true self and you will be entered into the contest for your chance to win a copy of her book.
You could also share this blog post on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, February 20, 2023. Continental United States only.
I LOVE this message and I truly enjoyed the podcast. Growing up according to my dad, I didn’t have an opinion. I just did what I was told . Now I tried to be an obedient child because of fear of what would happen to me if I didn’t but the older I got, I did have an opinion and tried to speak it at times but not usually with my parents but with my grandparents. I disagreed with my grandfather on a few very important issues of people’s worth and value. He would turn the TV off when certain people would come on and I would turn it back on and tell him that they were people just like us. I am sad I argued with him, that was disrespectful but I was passionate not to treat people unkind or rude. Yes, I tried to have a voice and convictions but I was to be seen and not heard. I have learned over the years that what I say does matter. My hubby has given me freedom to share and he wants to know what I think. He values it and others value what I think and feel and I share what God’s Word says and Jesus says. I stepped out years ago and taught a ladies Sunday school class, and have taught on several topics in a pastor’s conference so God opened doors for me to share my life and my heart so your message was so encouraging. I seek to be silent when I don’t need to talk but pray then when the Lord prompts me to speak, I will. I shared this on FB. Thank you, Laura and Michelle for such deep insights and helpful encouragement.
As I have matured in God, I have come to realize that He wants us to be authentic, open and vulnerable so that people, especially women, can relate to me.
(Tired to post this on Twitter, but for some reason could not.)