BRAIN INJURY 101: Masks
These days across your neighborhood, city, county, state and nation as well as worldwide, we are seeing more and more masks. People have been mandated to wear them for the safety of others against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Interestingly enough, the protective mask is not the only one listed in the dictonary.
Webster’s definition:
According to Webster’s, there are several definitions for mask. Here are just a few (including the protective covering):
- A covering for the face or part of the face to conceal an identity
- Anything that conceals or disguises
- A likeness of a person’s face
- A protective covering for the face
Masks worn daily
In the world of brain injury, masks can become something we, and perhaps our loved ones, wear daily. Somedays we wear the mask of “everything is okay” when in fact it is not, or we wear the mask of “poor me” when we don’t get enough attention from people around us.
Other sorts of masks
However, not all masks are worn over your face, there are masks you wear over your heart. And it is just not the folks with brain injuries who wear these masks. Anyone who has suffered trauma in their life can wear an emotional mask. These masks cover up the pain of loneliness, betrayal, or that of grief. Masks take on many different identities. And let’s face it, the wearing of an emotional mask is tiring. These masks can create heavy burdens that leaves one psychologically and physically exhausted.
The solution?
What is the solution for these self-imposed, emotional masks? Jesus tells us His answer in His Word:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
In the time of Jesus, the yoke He referred to, was His interpretation of the Jewish law. He didn’t teach as others did, His teachings were easy to follow and not a burden to act upon, as were others. The same is true today. Jesus wants us to come to Him. He wants you to get to know Him, to trust Him and the way to do that is to read and study His Word, the Bible.
What helps?
For those of us who are surviving and thriving after brain injuries, I have found Bible study and Scripture reading helpful in the healing of my brain injury. The Word has gently rebuked me when I have had a volcanic moment (see http://www.pamdepuydt.com/brain-injury-101-the-volcanic-argument/) and the fallout is destructive or when I become anxious for seemingly no reason (except a portion of my brain fails to function as it once did).
Whatever the reason, Jesus wants us to come to Him. Come to Him for comfort, when we are sad, anxious, or even when we want to sing. Sing to Him and praise Him and He will lift the mask of gloom and fill you with radiant joy!
So dear friend, for now, wear your protective face mask in public, but give the emotional mask to Jesus. Let Him replace it with hope, peace, joy and love.
