The Problem with Pretending: Toxic Positivity, Alienation, and the Grace of Being Real

In this episode, Pastor Nate explores the hidden costs of pretending everything is fine. We talk about the pressure to appear put together, the fear of being seen as struggling, and how toxic positivity often masks our deeper wounds. This kind of emotional cover-up doesn't just affect our mental health, it also shapes our spirituality.

Listen in as Pastor Nate digs into the way Christianity confronts this head-on. Jesus didn’t come for the polished and performative. His harshest words were for those who insisted on religious appearances while ignoring their inner brokenness. That's because the gospel is not about pretending, rather it's an invitation to show up as our full selves.

In this episode, we cover:

- Why pretending and toxic positivity hurt more than they help

- How alienation is a core human experience—and how faith addresses it

- The danger of performative religion

- The cross as a place where God meets us in suffering

- Why engaging with our struggles is a path to transformation

If you’ve ever felt pressure to “just stay positive” when everything inside you is unraveling, this episode is for you.

Listen now—and be reminded that grace meets us not in our pretending, but in our honest, human reality.