“In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).
These powerful words are a reminder that we are not alone. Through the Lord, we can find refuge in people and in ourselves. Whatever we are going through, it too shall pass. We don’t have to deal with our stuff silently but can open up to one another. When we do, we might find shared experiences that lead to healing.
It is okay to permit yourself not to be okay and deal with those feelings. We can’t push them away and forget about them. We have to sit in our grief, loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and pain and then name it. We have to be on a first-name basis with our emotions so we can deal with them. For when we experience and process those feelings, we will feel lighter, happier, and calmer. Hardships will occur, and sadness will ache. Pain is inevitable, but so is happiness, joy, and laughter.
This message is excerpted from “How are you?” by Ralen Robinson in the May 2022 Café online magazine. Today we commemorate Matthias, apostle.
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