Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting!
With humour and encouragement, Bezet empowers readers to shed the weight of pretence and embrace their true selves.
Reviewer: David Oletu (DCM)
Book Title: Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting.
Book Author: Rick Bezet ( About — Rick Bezet )
Publisher: Baker Books (April 1, 2014)
Pages: 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0801014530
ISBN-13: 978-0801014536
There is no greater authenticity killer and confident kidnapper than fear. Feeling afraid erodes our sense of being okay with who we are the way God made us.
Rick Bezet’s ‘Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting’ resonates deeply with my past.
I would have likely become one of Africa’s most prominent content creators if I had continued living a fabricated life on social media.
At 15, I began harnessing the power of media, envisioning my Eagledeye brand.
Consistently sharing inspirational quotes, my goal was to become a renowned blogger, monetising my content.
God gifted me with critical thinking and the ability to uplift others through words.
People admired my work, and by the time I entered university, some already knew me due to my online presence.
While recognition was gratifying, I felt uneasy sharing inspirational thoughts while struggling with personal weaknesses.
I preached anger management yet grappled with anger issues. And I condemned pride, yet harboured it.
My motivation? A growing fanbase.
However, I realised that authenticity wasn’t about follower count but personal growth.
I needed to develop myself before sharing with others.
God granted me vision and eloquence, but I required nurturing;
hence, I stepped back from the limelight, immersing myself in self-improvement: reading, attending edifying meetings, and seeking guidance.
This journey transformed me.
Today, my online presence reflects my genuine self.
Those who know me attest to the alignment between my social media and real-life values.
My story mirrors many young people’s struggles today.
The pressure to gain online visibility and validation often leads to fabricated personas.
We term it ‘branding,’ but authenticity is the true brand worth building.
If your story resonates with mine, then Rick Bezet’s book ‘Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting’ is for you!
According to Rick Bezet, many of us yearn for the liberating acceptance that comes from living our divine purpose.
We crave the freedom to be ourselves, untethered from the weight of others’ expectations.
We long to shed the burden of people-pleasing and authenticity-masking.
However, for many, this freedom remains elusive.
Various forces pull us away from our true selves: societal pressures, professional expectations, and the relentless pursuit of validation.
Politicians distort the truth for votes, bloggers mislead for views, and employees compromise values for advancement.
Everywhere, masks are worn and lives are faked.
Bezet underscores the exhausting consequences of inauthenticity.
It not only drains us but also distances us from our true identities and deepest desires.
Yet, despite our carefully crafted facades, God sees beyond our pretences.
He knows our hearts intimately—our secret thoughts, impure desires, and petty emotions.
Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting!
Still, God loves us unconditionally. He invites us to shed our masks and draw closer to Him, embracing our authentic selves.
Have you convinced yourself that hiding your true self is necessary for acceptance and success?
Rick Bezet argues that this mindset is a destructive lie: that others won’t love or trust you if they know your authentic self and past mistakes.
This deception hinders growth, keeping you distant from those you desire closeness with.
However, Jesus brings good news: authenticity is liberating. God accepts you as you are, yet loves you too much to leave you there.
Imagine living utterly free to be yourself, with unshakeable faith in God’s unconditional love.
Envision genuine relationships and a relaxed, contented life, untethered from the weight of pretences. Why settle for a life of faking?!
In stark contrast, Rick Bezet highlights the distinct difference between God’s definition of authenticity and the world’s.
While God’s acceptance cultivates humility, reflection, repentance, and growth, the world’s acceptance often fuels aggression and resistance to correction.
Thankfully, Bezet’s book, ‘Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting,’ offers a transformative 10-chapter roadmap to break free from pretences,
discover a more honest and biblical way to live, and embrace authenticity and freedom in Christ.
Below are 16 takeaways from Rick Bezet’s ‘Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting.’
- We don’t change when we see the light. We change when we feel the heat.
- Temptation doesn’t become a sin until we give in and let the temptation blossom into disobedience.
- Have confidence in who you are in Christ! God doesn’t see the obstacle facing you; he sees the potential in you.
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Maybe you don’t have faith to get out of the hole, but if you team up with God again, you’ll live again.
- It might take some courage to overcome the whisper that says, “They’ll condemn you for telling you the truth,” but that’s the enemy talking to you!
- You need a friend who doesn’t just give you what you want just to try to make you feel good. You need a friend who gives you the word of God.
- Often, we don’t recognise our abilities. We end up struggling to be authentic because we haven’t learnt to embrace what God has given us.
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Comparing yourself to other people will hinder your ability to do the work God planned specifically for you to do.
- Find somebody to coach you through your gifts and to help you figure out who you are and what God’s plan for you might be.
- Once we accept how God made us and what he calls us to accomplish through his power, we find it’s pretty easy to be real,
and we can be genuinely excited about life because we don’t have to pretend to be anything but who we are.
- ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)
- There is no greater authenticity killer and confident kidnapper than fear. Feeling afraid erodes our sense of being okay with who we are the way God made us.
- Instead of comparing yourself, look for ways to show respect and honour to all people you come into contact with.
Treat them the way Jesus would treat them.
Treat them the way you would like to be treated yourself—nothing less than this golden rule.
- If we want to get real, then we have to understand that God is our power source. He is in control and has our best interests at heart.
- No matter what occupation you decide to pursue or what type of relationship you involve yourself in, you must have the confidence to be authentic and fulfilled in your life.
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God wants us to rest confidently in the knowledge of His love and the hope we have in Christ.
Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting!
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly agree with Holly Wagner, Founder of Godchicks Women’s Ministry,
that fulfilling our God-given potential and forming lasting friendships requires embracing our authentic selves.
In a world where pretence often masquerades as reality, Rick Bezet’s ‘Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting’ offers a refreshing antidote.
This inspiring book provides hope and practical guidance for living authentically.
With humour and encouragement, Bezet empowers readers to shed the weight of pretence and embrace their true selves.
Embracing authenticity takes courage, but this book serves as a valuable companion on the journey.
Its relatable tone and actionable advice make it an ideal resource for small groups seeking to cultivate genuine community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your life and relationships.
Get a copy of ‘Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting’ for yourself and share it with others.
Break free from the exhaustion of pretending and discover the liberating power of authenticity.
Also Read: Encouragement that Builds – Diademng (thediademng.org)
Be Real Because Fake Is Exhausting!
This book is inspiring, and reading it makes you want to be a better version (Real) of yourself.
I learnt that, if we give God a chance, he’ll change our name, and give us a new name
Social media is the newest and biggest
driving force of personal discontentment.
Everyone else’s life looks more fun, more exciting, more fulfilling. we are
looking at everyone else’s “highlight reels” and comparing them to our
“behind the scenes.” No wonder we feel inadequate. No wonder we put on a
show. Without knowing it, we are becoming consumed with the approval of
others. We’re infatuated with what others say about us online. We’re obsessed with what people think about us. The problem? Becoming
obsessed with what others think about us is the quickest way to forget what
God thinks about us!
(Don’t let the life of others, validate who you are, we were all uniquely created by God, so we should stop trying to live another person’s life, and live ours. Be Real)
Fantastic