Pain – deep, can’t-shake-it-off, can’t-ignore-it-or-escape it pain – is more common than most people tend to admit. It clings to us and colors everything we are, do and feel. It lingers just under the surface, no matter how much we distract ourselves with other things, and surfaces in tears, rage and frustration – often in unrelated directions – when we’re least expecting it, or most want to avoid such vulnerability. People who know us most closely can be sometimes sympatheti

Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional talked about being concerned about what we “chew on” – what we mull over in our minds, what we meditate on, think about, dwell on, even obsess about. https://odb.org/2018/06/02/the-chewing-years/ I see in my own life what I think about GREATLY impacts my attitude and therefore my emotional bent every day. If I keep thinking about painful past incidents with people, I, in essence, encase myself in an emotional filter of offense and victimhood

Stop. Be still. Breathe in. Pause. Breathe out. This simple act is a miracle. We take it automatically without thinking, without intention thousands of times per day. Take a few breaths today contemplating the God Who created the universe, Who holds the galaxies in perfect precision, gives thought to you....and loves you. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10a) an encouragement to rest, to stop, to breathe in Peace. I am told this Psalm, famous for centuries for comf