During this Halloween season, some will wear masks to become their favorite superhero or animal, for an evening of Trick or Treat, or festivities, but some of us wear masks all year long, hiding behind, hiding who we really are. We wear a mask to hide our insecurity or to cover up our past mistakes because we feel so imperfect.

There was a time when I believed that if people only knew about my mistakes, my brokenness, my sin, there’s no way that they would like me, no way that they would accept me, want me, or love me. And so, we wear a mask to hide, but trying to be someone we are not is exhausting, and it’s also a dark and lonely place to be, a place where the father of all lies, Satan, can really mess with us.

Like so many of our stories, this was the story of Tasha Layton. She’s beautiful, she has a beautiful voice, she was on American Idol, she was Katy Perry’s backup singer – she had it all, right?  No, she too was searching for her identity, her purpose in life. 

As a teenager, Tasha faced a painful experience that led her to question her identity. At 16, someone at her church spread false rumors about her. The incident deeply wounded Tasha, causing her to doubt herself. Later, she distanced herself from church and gave up music. Tasha wandered for a long time, trying to seek other religions in search of peace and wholeness. Still carrying emotional scars, Tasha tried other things too, but fell into depression. Isolating herself, she reached a breaking point and attempted suicide.

In all honesty, just like Tasha Layton, I too kept comparing myself to others, ending up feeling less than. How do you know if the people who you think have the perfect life aren't also wearing a mask?  Perhaps they’re covering up past mistakes and hurts too.

In the below video, Tasha Layton shares her testimony of attempting suicide, only to be rescued by God. She shares how she had sought fulfillment in all the wrong places until one day, she encountered Jesus. 

I hope you find the same encouragement in her story as I did. 

With love,

A VP Lady