Many years ago, when my dad was dating mum, he had her round to his flat. It looked very tidy. Until she peered behind the sofa. That was where he had put all his mess. Do you have a place where you hide all your rubbish? Remember Monica’s cupboard in Friends? What are you hiding and is it worth it?

These days, I have many cupboards that need opened up and sorted out Also, I cry behind closed doors and then re-apply makeup to cover it up again. Of course, there are mortifying times when no barrier can stop the real facts from leaking out. I still cringe about those times. But here’s the thing: if you choose your people wisely, then showing them the truth is ok. In some ways, letting someone else see the real you is giving them a gift.

Most of us live life like that, hiding what we see as the worst of ourselves and presenting a more socially acceptable face to the world. But if most do it, maybe showing people the real you would set them free to live more genuine lives themselves?

Of course there is a time to bare all and a time to push it down. But if you are feeling suffocated by the pretence, it might make you feel better to show somebody what you are exhausted hiding. I listen to a wren every morning. It starts singing a beautiful, clear song but at the end it rattles. It’s as if it can’t keep up the song to the end. If you are struggling with yours, find a kind friend who can put up with your rattle. That is true friendship, seeing the worst side and loving them anyway. Lots of people talk about surrounding themselves with positive friends. You should try standing beside someone who is struggling and notice the faithfulness they bring out in you.

‘Love keeps no record of wrongs'(1 Corinthians 13). See if you can do that for someone in your life today