Putting on our [psychological] masks is a regular part of our morning ritual, just like brushing our teeth and eating breakfast. The masquerade, however, is anything but festive. Underneath the masks are people who are terrified that there will be an unveling. And, indeed, the masks and other coverings will one day be removed. There will be an eternal unveiling. But it is not so much the eyes of other people that we ought to fear. . . . If the gaze of man awakens fear in us, how much more so the gaze of God. ...

Fear of people is often a more conscious version of being afraid of God. That is, we are more conscious of our fear of others than our fear of God. Granted, fear of others is a real phenomenon. We really are afraid of the thoughts, opinions, and actions of other people. But under that we hide as best we can the more desparate fear of God. ...

When Christ returns, those who are [exposed] will prefer being covered by the boulders of Jerusalem's mountains to being exposed before the holy gaze of God.

Edward T. Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small