Authenticity in a Fake News World

We value authenticity, right? We champion people who be their authentic self. At least that’s what we say.

“Girl, you do you!”

“Just live your truth” (The phrase I hate the most.)

There’s a debate on LinkedIn on whether or not swearing around clients is a trade-off between being professional or being authentic to one’s true self.

Steven Furtick recently said, “In an age where everything is becoming more fake, authenticity becomes more valuable.” I agree with this sooooo much! The best work arrangements. The best friendships. The most fulfilling or encouraging moments of our lives come from a place where authenticity is welcomed, where vulnerability is exposed and light can be turned on where once darkness was.

Think about the relief you felt learning that you weren’t alone in a situation, that someone else had been there or were going through it themselves and felt your pain. There was power in knowing that you were in this together. That you weren’t just a freak of nature. That your situation wasn’t some new, impossible mountain. That someone lived through it to tell the story.

But are we telling the story?

Stories and Fake News

If you look at social media, you’ll most likely get only a part of the story – what we know as the highlight reel. The smiling, good parts. The filtered, Instagram parts.

And I hate to say it, but even though we like and celebrate and desire the real, we contribute to the fake.

People like to snidely remark that President Trump invented the term “Fake News” to relate to news about himself that he didn’t like. But the truth of the matter is that fake news, in it’s real meaning, existed long before Trump; he just had the balls enough to call it out.

So I’m taking a lesson from the president and calling out the fake news we participate in in our every day life.

And lest you think it only relates to social media, how many times have you answered “fine” or some other trite phrase to the question of “How are you?” when you were dying on the inside?

Even worse – how many times do we feel the need to do this in church because we don’t want people to know that our faith is wavering?

We’re in a desperate need for realness – especially in the Body of Christ.

Really Real

In addition, not being real not only hurts the person, but creates hurt in those around them when the truth is known. I’m currently working through a friendship that is suffering from a case of fake news. I’ve also been pondering the ramifications suicide has on those left behind. In both cases, someone was afraid to be real about what was going on and made a decision that hurt those around them.

This is not a case for filter-free living – where we post whatever we want or say whatever pops in our head. It’s not about dyeing your hair funky colors, shaving your head, piercings or wearing whatever you want (despite it not being flattering for your body type).

This is about heart realness. This is about admitting when you’re afraid, lonely or frustrated. This is about asking for help when you’re doubting or hurting. This is about not just telling people about the mountains, but also the valleys. It’s about sharing about the crying, cursing, temper-tantrum that preceded the pretty, Instagram post.

Ramifications of Authenticity

Why is this so important?

Because healing can come in – to the speaker and the listener who might feel too ashamed to be real. If someone can’t be real in their struggles, how can they find healing? This is why we go through things, people!

1 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, ” Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” [Emphasis added]

When you know the truth, the truth can set you free! (John 8:32)

Let’s be REAL. Let’s stop hiding. Let’s stop posting just the highlights or celebrating and envying those that do. Seriously. Unfollow fake news! Fake news is not just a CNN thing. It is a lurking option to everyone of us who feel the pressure to look the part of perfection.

Is it scary? Yes. Could you still get rejected? Yup. Might people think less of you? Sure. But know that those who are authentic – heart real – are the true gems. In a world of fake news, the real deal is a refreshing oasis.