The Challenges of Living Life as a Truth Teller

Ever since I was a small child, the world has never made sense to me. I often felt like I didn’t belong here on earth. My perception of life growing up in a dysfunctional family was often very different from those around me. The result was that I emerged into an empath who quickly learned to discern truth in people, places and events.

After almost dying from 20 years of chronic illness, my eyes were opened. You can find my story of recovery here. I had to literally do the complete opposite of everything the medical system was suggesting to recover health.

In a world filled with noise, narratives, and social pressure, telling the truth has become a revolutionary act. It sounds simple—something we were all taught to do as children—but for those who choose to live it out fully, being a truth teller can be one of life’s greatest challenges. Speaking honestly in a time of confusion and conformity takes courage, strength, and a deep commitment to authenticity. Especially if you are in the minority.

1. Standing Alone

Truth tellers often find themselves walking alone. Speaking what others avoid can make people uncomfortable or defensive. It’s easier for many to turn away than to face what’s real. But the pain of holding in the truth can become unbearable.  As the prophet Jeremiah lamented, “If I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,’ His word is in my heart like a fire… I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

Those who live by truth carry an inner drive to be authentic, even when it costs them approval or belonging. It can feel isolating to stand firm when everyone else seems to prefer polite silence—but authenticity rarely fits neatly into the crowd.

2. Truth Isn’t Always Welcome

People say they want the truth, but often they mean the kind that doesn’t challenge them. Real truth has a way of stirring things up—it exposes, questions, and disrupts. Whether it’s in relationships, workplaces, or society, truth tellers quickly learn that honesty can make them targets for criticism or dismissal.

Still, truth has quiet power. Even when it’s resisted, it plants seeds of awareness that can grow with time.

3. The Emotional Weight of Awareness

Seeing and speaking the truth can come with emotional exhaustion. Truth tellers notice inconsistencies, manipulation, or denial that others overlook. This awareness can feel heavy—especially when you care deeply about people who aren’t ready to face reality.

There’s a constant balance between wanting to help and knowing when to step back. Learning that not everyone is ready to hear the truth can be painful—but it’s also liberating.

4. Protecting the Heart While Navigating Truth

One of the greatest challenges for truth tellers is learning how to protect their own hearts. Speaking truth doesn’t mean absorbing everyone’s anger, misunderstanding, or resistance. When people deny or distort what you say, it’s easy to take their discomfort personally—but it’s not yours to carry.

To protect your peace:

• Detach from outcomes. You can share truth, but you can’t control how others receive it.

• Practice empathy without losing yourself. You can care without absorbing others’ denial or pain.

• Stay rooted in self-respect. Kindness and firmness can coexist. Compassion doesn’t mean compliance.

When you protect your heart, you preserve the clarity that makes your voice meaningful.

5. Why Truth Matters More Than Ever Since COVID

The global pandemic changed how people see the truth. Fear and profits drove the narrative. Since COVID-19, we’ve witnessed an explosion of conflicting information, fear-based messaging, and mistrust. Many people discovered how fragile public confidence can be—and how easily narratives can be shaped or censored.

In today’s world, being a truth teller means thinking critically, asking questions, and seeking clarity even when it’s unpopular. It’s not about taking sides—it’s about valuing honesty, transparency, and independent thought.

As misinformation spreads faster than ever, truth tellers have an essential role: to ground conversations in facts, integrity, and courage. The more confusion exists, the more vital truth becomes.

6. The Pressure to Stay Silent

After being misunderstood or labelled as “too blunt” or “negative,” many truth tellers feel tempted to retreat. But staying silent often feels worse than speaking out. Integrity matters more than comfort.

Silence can become complicity—and truth tellers know that being quiet for too long erodes their peace. Even when their voices shake, they speak because they must.

7. Balancing Honesty and Compassion

Being a truth teller isn’t about being harsh or “always right.” It’s about valuing honesty enough to express it with empathy. The most effective truth tellers understand that timing, tone, and intention matter as much as the message itself.

Truth without compassion can wound. Compassion without truth can deceive. Real wisdom is learning to hold both at once. The key is how truth is spoken. The Bible reminds us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Without love, truth can wound; without truth, love becomes weak and sentimental.

I am working to deliver truth more compassionately. This is a lifelong work. Progress and not perfection.

8. The Reward of Living Honestly

Despite the challenges, there’s a quiet freedom in living authentically. Truth tellers don’t waste energy pretending or managing façades. While they may lose people or opportunities along the way, they gain self-respect, inner peace, and genuine connections.

Living in truth isn’t always easy—but it’s real. And in a world that often blurs the line between image and integrity, that’s a rare and powerful way to live.

Clarity over Comfort

Being a truth teller is not about forcing your views on others—it’s about living with honesty, even when it’s inconvenient. It’s about choosing clarity over comfort and authenticity over approval. The road can be lonely at times, but it’s also the path to real freedom and a deeper connection with others and God, who values what’s real.

The Blessing Behind the Burden

Though it’s hard, living as a truth teller it brings a deep spiritual reward. There is peace in knowing you’ve honoured your conscience and God your creator. There’s strength in standing firm when others waver. And there’s a quiet joy in seeing truth eventually vindicate itself—because it always does.

Keep speaking truth!! The world needs this now more than ever.

God bless you all! 

Brenda

]]> https://realfoodrebel.com/back-to-school-with-the-nutritional-therapy-association/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=back-to-school-with-the-nutritional-therapy-association Wed, 12 Apr 2017 16:58:33 +0000 http://realfoodrebel.com/?p=3170

I never, ever thought I would be back in school at the age of 54.  Since recovering my health from lyme disease, chronic fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, chronic migraines and several co-infections, I felt I needed to help others.  I have been in complete remission since November, 2014.  You can read about everything that I did to recover here.

Last summer, August 2016, I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This was a promise fulfilled in thanksgiving for my healing. I prayed about what my next steps should be in life.  After hiking over 900 kilometers, it was loud and clear that I was to get my certification with the Nutritional Therapy Association as a Nutritional Therapy Consultant. Once I read through their philosophy and reading list, I knew this was the right fit for me. I already had many of these books in my collection, so the decision was an easy one to make. This certification is the perfect complement to my work as a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Practitioner with Trace Elements Lab and Lyme Disease Coach.  My previous college diploma in Addictions Counselling has enabled me to work with several clients that have disordered or addictive eating patterns as well.

NTA’s Philosophy

Nutritional Therapists, as envisioned by NTA, teach the importance of properly prepared whole foods that are delicious, nourish our bodies, and restore good health. Once foods have been highly processed, as most foods in America are, there is no combination of carbohydrates, fats, and protein that will ultimately be healthy. As dietary fads alternate between diets high in carbohydrates, and others high in protein and fat, one thing has become very obvious, there is no one perfect diet for everyone. While some people thrive on a diet relatively low in fats, for others the increase in carbohydrates is devastating. Likewise, Atkins-like diets high in fat may have helped some people, but for others have been completely inappropriate and even dangerous. NTA teaches the concept of bio-individuality. There is no perfect diet for everyone. Nutritional Therapists are trained to help each client find the right types of whole foods that will restore balance and enhance their ability to heal.

“Although all wellness-minded doctors appreciate the importance of proper diet and nutritional supplementation, it is often very difficult for them to do the proper evaluation and dietary counseling necessary to support optimal healing. Nutritional Therapists are trained to work alongside these practitioners either in their offices or in private practice to support the doctors’ diagnosis and other therapies. The NTA website can be found here.

The picture below was taken in Las Vegas at our recent 3 day workshop. We had the privilege of meeting Gray Graham the founder of the NTA. He is an amazing teacher and really walks the walk as a  great nutritional therapist.

Today

I have been really busy trying to keep up with my clients, plus take the necessary time for study.  Somehow, I am managing to keep up! I am fortunate to be able to study and work entirely online. I am so amazed at what I am capable of accomplishing each day with a laptop and a great internet connection. We are called digital nomads, and are becoming more and more common all over the world.

I am still living in Playa del Carmen in my tiny one bedroom apartment. My life is quite simple but very focused. Each day I exercise, shop, work, study, eat and repeat!  There hasn’t been much time for socializing, but that will come again in time.  My body continues to heal and gain strength.  My mind is getting clearer and the cognitive issues from years of chronic Lyme Disease are becoming fewer and fewer.  I am still very determined to open my guest house here  for those with chronic illness. Hopefully, it will be up and running by January, 2018.

All and all, I am living a purpose-driven life.  It feels good to be healthy, productive, peaceful and happy. This is so different from my 20 years of sickness.  I honestly can’t believe that I am the same person.   Food is powerful medicine!

Blessings and Best of Health,

Brenda

Photography – Ashlie Woods 

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