Better than surface level?

How can we know people beyond only a basic relationship?

How can we make ourselves known by others at a deeper level?

Have you experienced that most of the time, we never really learn about others' problems, weaknesses, struggles, or small victories?

They hesitate to tell us their difficulties and we understand this because we don't want to reveal these to them either.

What about winning in life?

Sure, there are those who brag about everything.

But most of us have enough decency to NOT be so openly proud.

So, we scratch the surface with people and they with us.

How can walls be penetrated that keep others from seeing inner lives?

Our minds, emotions, wills, and bodies all can have walls that are shields to protect us from hurt.

What if the hidden person of the heart 1 Peter 3:4 were opened willingly to others? 2 Timothy 3:10-11

What if our deepest and good passions for people, places, and things that help define who we really are were told without fear of criticism or humiliation?

Maybe the following words could help us let down our guards --

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

And hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts. He gave us His love through the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to us. Romans 5:5

Your thoughts?

R. Jason