Stress has become such a way of life; I am no longer stressed about being stressed! I either heard this in passing or said this in passing. : ) I know that I have been anesthetizing my stress through food for several years. Now that I am losing weight, I am more conscious of the pain I was relieving -- but not releasing -- through food. It was simply a form of suppression or a way of pushing the pain away by hiding it inside.

And, when I don't allow my favorite tranquilizer (food) to be an option, I find myself more volatile and temperamental, which makes me feel out of control. And then, I risk passing on that pain to others or becoming aggressive, which is another way of pushing the pain away, but this time toward someone else.

When we choose between suppression and aggression, we attempt to diffuse our pain by not dealing with it, but it never really goes away. It only recycles.


I did hear something in Bible class this week that gives me strength in this area: "Whatever you can feel, God can heal."

Somewhere between suppression and aggression is the middle ground where we connect with the pain so God can set it free. It may involve expression or confession, but ultimately, it provides the only protection for our spirit.

As a counselor, I know that release is a better option than relief. In order to release pain, you must face it. But it takes courage to travel that road, even when you know what is at the end. It is not the destination we fear, but the journey.

But God is faithful.