The Mask of “I’m Fine”: Letting God Heal the Hidden Hurt

By Elizabeth Meigs

Transformational Coach & Messenger of God’s Miracle Power™

I used to think strength meant keeping it all together — smiling when I wanted to cry, saying “I’m fine” while my heart was breaking. For years, that mask was my armor,I thought it was protecting me from judgment yet imprisoning me in silence.

Maybe you know that mask too. You show up for everyone else, hold it together at work, and whisper to yourself, Just get through the day. But pretending doesn’t heal you; it only buries the pain deeper. And God can’t heal what we keep hiding — not because He can’t see it, but because He won’t force His way in.

I learned that truth the hard way. After trauma turned my world upside down, I convinced everyone I was okay. Outwardly, I looked strong; inwardly, I was unraveling. It wasn’t until I broke down before God that real healing began.

Psalm 34:18 promises, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When I finally brought my crushed spirit to Him — anger, grief, fear, and all — He didn’t shame me. He surrounded me with peace. I discovered that being seen by God isn’t scary; it’s safe.

From a neuroscience perspective, that moment of honesty changed more than my emotions. Studies show that when we suppress feelings, the brain treats them as danger signals, keeping the body in fight-or-flight mode. But when we name what we feel — even in prayer — the brain releases calming chemicals like oxytocin, the “connection hormone.” Vulnerability literally rewires the mind toward safety and connection.

That’s why honesty is holy ground. Every time you tell God the truth, you quiet the storm inside your nervous system. You make room for grace to rewrite your story.

If you’ve been living behind your own version of “I’m fine,” maybe it’s time to set the mask down. You don’t have to have the perfect words; you just have to show up. Start with this simple prayer:

“Father, You see the parts of me I’ve been hiding. I’m tired of pretending I’m okay. Meet me here. Show me what You want to heal.”

Then take five minutes to journal one emotion you’ve been avoiding. Don’t edit it — just write. Notice what happens inside your body as you invite God into that space. Maybe your shoulders drop, your breathing slows, or your heart feels lighter. That’s the beginning of healing.

Strength isn’t pretending you’re fine; it’s having the courage to be real. God can’t heal what we hide, but He can redeem anything we reveal. When we say, “Here I am, Lord — broken but willing,” He meets us right there.

So today, take off the mask. Let Him see you, love you, and lead you back to peace. Because the same God who healed me is ready to heal the hidden hurts in you too.

To hear the full story and learn practical ways to break free from burnout and emotional exhaustion, listen to my podcast Untrapped: Healing the Invisible Wounds to Living Your Dreams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Visit ElizabethInspires.com for free resources, including my Daily Affirmations Text Series and the Pathway to PEACE Method™ — faith-based tools to help you rise, reframe, and reconnect with the life God designed for you.

Because healing begins with honesty, and wholeness begins when you stop hiding and let God in.

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