Coming Out of Hiding: How to Find True Intimacy
Have you ever felt like you’re living behind a mask, afraid that if people really knew you, they’d reject you? You’re not alone. We humans have been hiding since the Garden of Eden, and let’s be honest—it’s exhausting! We crave deeper intimacy, but fear keeps us locked in a cycle of pretending, avoiding, and holding…
Have you ever felt like you’re living behind a mask, afraid that if people really knew you, they’d reject you? You’re not alone. We humans have been hiding since the Garden of Eden, and let’s be honest—it’s exhausting! We crave deeper intimacy, but fear keeps us locked in a cycle of pretending, avoiding, and holding back from overcoming emotional hiding. What if I told you there’s a way out? Not a magic fix, but a real path to being fully known and deeply loved. Let’s talk about it.
The Hidden You
Hiding isn’t just about avoiding people—it’s about the parts of ourselves we try to bury. Maybe you’ve told yourself certain emotions aren’t acceptable. Maybe you’ve shaped yourself into what others expect, leaving pieces of your true self behind. It’s time to ask: Who did you have to become to feel loved? Were you the “good one,” the “strong one,” the “funny one,” or the “one who never complains”?
It’s not just about how you see yourself; hiding affects every relationship in your life—friends, family, and even your relationship with God. When we hide, we create barriers that keep us from the intimacy we were made for. To keep us from overcoming emotional hiding.
Why We Hide from God
Let’s be real: trying to hide from God is like a toddler playing peek-a-boo, thinking that if they cover their eyes, no one can see them. Jonah tried running (Jonah 1:3), and we do the same in our own ways. Maybe we avoid prayer because we feel unworthy. Maybe we must clean up our act before coming to Him. But here’s the truth: God already sees every messy, broken, complicated part of us—and loves us anyway (Zephaniah 3:17).
The key to stepping into that love? Owning your story.
Owning Your Story: Overcoming Emotional Hiding
We didn’t wake up one day and decide to start hiding. Somewhere along the way, we learned that certain parts of us weren’t welcome. But real healing begins when we stop running and start being honest—with ourselves, others, and God.
1. Be Honest With Yourself
Facing your story isn’t easy. It means looking at what shaped you—the good, the bad, and the painful. Try picturing younger versions of yourself. What did the six-year-old you need? What was the teenage you afraid of? Jesus welcomed children with open arms (Mark 10:13-16), and that includes the younger version of you still carrying wounds. Show yourself the same compassion He does.
2. Be Honest With Others
We need people, period. But when we’ve been hurt, trusting again feels risky. Still, healing happens in relationships. Start with one person—a godly friend, a trusted pastor, or a counselor. Letting someone in, even a little, is a step toward breaking the cycle of hiding.
3. Be Honest With God
If you imagine God sitting beside you right now, how do you think He feels about you? If your answer is ” disappointed, ” it’s time to reframe that picture. The God who created you, sent His Son to restore you, knows every detail of your life—He delights in you. Yes, you! Everything changes when you stop pretending and let Him into the real you.
What Happens When You Step Into the Light?
Coming out of hiding isn’t about being “perfectly open” overnight. It’s a journey that leads to peace, healing, and a kind of love that no mask or performance could ever earn. The real you—the one God designed—is waiting to be fully known and deeply loved.
It‘s Your Turn!
Where have you been hiding? What part of your story needs healing to step into real intimacy and overcome emotional hiding? Which of these three steps—honesty with yourself, others, or God—feels like your biggest challenge? Let’s talk in the comments!
