What’s Weighing on You? Why Naming What’s Heavy Brings Healing
Life has a way of piling things on us, doesn’t it? Responsibilities, frustrations, unanswered questions, grief that hasn’t been grieved. Often, we carry these things silently, shoving them to the back of our minds because the world doesn’t seem to have time for them.
But here’s something I’ve learned: what we don’t name doesn’t go away. It lingers, shaping our thoughts and decisions in quiet, unseen ways. The act of naming what’s heavy—the fears, frustrations, or sadness we’re holding—can be the first step toward healing.
Why We Avoid What’s Heavy
We live in a culture that celebrates productivity and quick fixes. When something feels heavy, the instinct is often to move on or push through. How many times have you heard (or said) phrases like:
“I just need to get over it.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“There’s no time to dwell on this right now.”
Avoiding what’s heavy might feel easier in the moment, but over time, it weighs us down. The unspoken grief, the unresolved frustration, the unanswered questions—they don’t just disappear. They sit in the corners of our minds, affecting how we show up in the world, often without us realizing it.
The Power of Naming
Something shifts when you name what’s heavy. It’s like shining a light into a dark room. Suddenly, the things you were avoiding don’t feel quite so overwhelming.
Here’s why naming is powerful:
It creates clarity: When you articulate what you’re feeling—whether through journaling, speaking, or simply thinking—it often becomes less tangled.
It reduces shame: Unspoken struggles tend to grow in the dark, making us feel isolated. Naming them reminds us that these feelings are human.
It invites healing: You don’t have to solve everything at once. But acknowledging what’s there opens the door for healing to begin.
How to Start Naming What’s Heavy
If this idea feels new—or a little uncomfortable—that’s okay. Here are a few ways to begin:
Journaling:
Take a notebook and write down, “What’s weighing on me right now?” Then, let yourself free-write. There’s no wrong way to do this.
You might find that simply putting the words on paper makes things feel lighter.
Talking:
Share with someone you trust—a friend, partner, or mentor. Sometimes, saying things out loud gives you a perspective you didn’t realize you needed.
Sitting Quietly with Your Thoughts:
Create a moment of stillness. Ask yourself, “What’s heavy today?” and let the answers come. There’s no rush—just being present is enough.
The Space to Heal
One of the most profound gifts you can give yourself is the space to be honest about what you’re carrying. This isn’t about fixing everything overnight. It’s about creating room for whatever needs to come out.
Healing often starts with a simple act of showing up—with your questions, your grief, your frustrations—and saying, “Here it is.”
In my work as a Grace Guide, I’ve seen the power of this over and over again. When people step into a safe space to name what’s heavy—without judgment or a rush to fix—they find clarity, peace, and sometimes even unexpected breakthroughs.
An Invitation
So, what’s weighing on you today?
Maybe it’s a frustration that keeps bubbling up. Maybe it’s an unanswered question about your future. Maybe it’s grief you haven’t had time to fully feel.
Whatever it is, I want to encourage you to name it—not because it’s easy, but because it matters. Write it down. Say it out loud. Hold it gently. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you do deserve the space to be honest about where you are.
You’re not alone in this. Healing doesn’t come all at once, but it begins when you show up.
Reflection Questions:
What’s one thing you’ve been carrying that feels heavy?
How can you create space to name it today?
If this resonates with you, let’s continue the conversation. Drop a comment or reach out—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
The Christmas Story We’ve Missed
Power, Resistance, and Liberation
When you think about the Christmas story, what comes to mind? For many, it’s images of a serene nativity scene: Mary and Joseph gazing lovingly at the baby Jesus, surrounded by animals, shepherds, and a bright star overhead.
But what if the story is far more radical than we’ve been led to believe?
I want to invite us to see the birth of Jesus not as a sentimental tale, but as a powerful narrative of resistance, liberation, and hope for the oppressed. The nativity stories in Matthew and Luke weren’t written for Hallmark cards—they were proclamations of a new kind of kingdom breaking into a world of injustice.
Christmas in the Shadow of Empire
To understand the true power of the Christmas story, we have to start with its context. The birth of Jesus took place under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. This was a world where power was concentrated in the hands of a few, where the poor were crushed under heavy taxation, and where violence was used to maintain control.
For Jewish communities under Roman rule, survival itself was an act of defiance. The nativity narratives emerged from this context of suffering and resistance, offering a vision of liberation that challenged the empire’s claims to power.
Take, for example, Luke’s account of Mary’s Magnificat:
“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:52-53)
These aren’t just words of worship—they are a revolutionary declaration. Mary proclaims a God who overturns the existing order, lifting up the marginalized and humbling the powerful.
The Politics of the Nativity
The nativity story carries more than religion; it carries incredible economical and political weight:
A census under Caesar Augustus: This was no mere background detail. The census was a reminder of Roman control, a mechanism for taxation and exploitation.
The setting in Bethlehem: Rooting Jesus’ birth in David’s ancestral city wasn’t just about fulfilling prophecy—it was a bold statement that a new, Davidic king had arrived, one who would challenge the empire.
Herod’s violent response: The slaughter of the innocents underscores the threat Jesus posed to systems of power. From the moment of his birth, his life was a challenge to rulers who relied on domination and fear.
In both Matthew and Luke, the nativity stories proclaim that Jesus’ birth marks the arrival of a new kind of kingdom—a kingdom that stands in stark contrast to the empire.
Liberation for All Creation
This doesn’t stop at human liberation. He expands the vision to include all of creation, reminding us that the Christmas story is about cosmic renewal. The arrival of Jesus isn’t just good news for a select group; it’s a promise that all things—earth, humanity, and the systems that govern them—will be reconciled and restored.
A Story for Our Time
Why does this matter today? Because the systems of inequality, oppression, and exploitation that defined the Roman Empire still exist in different forms. The nativity story, stripped of its sentimental trappings, calls us to see Jesus’ birth as a declaration that God is on the side of the oppressed.
It challenges us to ask:
Who holds power in our world, and how is that power wielded?
Where are the marginalized voices that need lifting up?
How are we called to participate in God’s work of renewal and liberation?
Christmas isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action.
The birth of Jesus is a reminder that God works in the margins, that liberation begins in unexpected places, and that even in the shadow of empire, hope is breaking through.
As we prepare for Christmas this year, let’s hold onto the radical promise of the nativity story: that the world can be made new, and that we are invited to be part of the renewal.
Reflection Questions:
How does seeing the Christmas story through the lens of liberation change the way you experience it?
What does it mean for you to participate in God’s work of justice and renewal today?
Let’s explore this together—share your thoughts in the comments.
Clarity Comes Quietly—Why Presence Matters More Than Answers
We live in a world that loves answers. Quick, clean solutions. Steps to success. Three tips to fix your life. We’re told that clarity comes when we know—when we’ve figured it out, labeled it, and put it neatly into a box.
But what if clarity doesn’t work that way?
What if clarity comes quietly, slipping into the spaces where we stop striving, stop fixing, and just show up?
I used to think that finding answers would give me peace. I’d wrestle with questions—about faith, purpose, relationships—and chase after solutions. If I could just figure out the right thing to do, I’d finally feel settled.
But more often than not, the harder I looked for answers, the further away they felt.
The turning point came not when I found answers, but when I learned to sit with the questions. I stopped seeing them as problems to solve and started treating them like companions to hold.
I began to notice something:
When I slowed down and got quiet—when I became present to the moment I was in—clarity would find me. Not in the form of a bright, neon answer, but in a gentle nudge, a whisper, or a sense of peace.
Presence matters more than answers.
Think about it:
In relationships, presence often says more than the perfect words.
In grief, showing up fully matters more than finding the “right” thing to say.
In faith, being still often teaches us more than rushing for certainty.
We don’t need all the answers to move forward. We just need to be here—fully present, fully open—trusting that clarity will come when it’s ready.
It’s like watching the fog lift in the early morning. You don’t force it away; you wait. And slowly, without you doing a thing, the view becomes clear.
What does this look like in practice?
Pause: Create space in your day to stop, breathe, and listen. Even 5 minutes of stillness can make a difference.
Let go of the pressure: Stop demanding clarity right now. Trust that it will come when it’s time.
Show up fully: Whether it’s a conversation, a moment of prayer, or time spent alone, be there—fully.
Clarity isn’t loud. It doesn’t shout or demand your attention. It comes quietly, in the spaces where you make room for it.
So, where can you invite stillness today? Where can you simply be—and let clarity find you in its own time?
What about you?
Are you holding questions that feel heavy? What might it look like to stop striving for answers and instead sit quietly with the moment?
Let’s explore together. Drop a comment below or share your thoughts.
Keep it simple. Keep it quiet. Clarity will come.
5 Common Myths About Spiritual Doubt and How to Embrace It
Introduction
Spiritual doubt can feel unsettling, especially if we’ve been taught that faith means never questioning. But doubt is actually a natural, even essential part of spiritual growth. Here, we’ll explore five common myths about spiritual doubt and how embracing it can lead to a deeper, more authentic relationship with your beliefs.
Myth #1: Doubt Means Weakness
Reality: Doubt is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength and curiosity. Doubt invites us to look more closely, to go beyond surface beliefs and question what truly resonates. It takes courage to allow room for questioning rather than clinging to answers.
Embrace It: Instead of pushing doubt away, see it as an opportunity to strengthen your convictions. Each question you explore opens up a deeper understanding of what you hold dear.
Myth #2: Doubt and Faith Cannot Coexist
Reality: Faith and doubt are often seen as opposites, but they are more like dance partners. Doubt prompts us to dig deeper, refining and strengthening our beliefs. The most resilient faith often emerges from honest questioning.
Embrace It: Allow yourself to hold tension for both faith and doubt. They don’t cancel each other out; instead, they can coexist and create a dynamic that brings you closer to truth.
Myth #3: Spiritual Doubt is a Phase You Should “Get Over”
Reality: Doubt isn’t something you “graduate” from; it’s a lifelong companion on the spiritual journey. Each new phase of life may bring fresh questions and challenges to your beliefs. This doesn’t mean you’re regressing; it means you’re evolving.
Embrace It: Recognize that doubt is part of growth. Embrace it as a continuing part of your journey, one that brings nuance and depth to your spiritual path.
Myth #4: Doubt Means You’re Losing Your Faith
Reality: Doubt doesn’t mean you’re moving away from faith. In fact, it often signals that you’re deepening it. Questioning reveals what’s real and true to you, shedding light on beliefs that are grounded and those that no longer serve you.
Embrace It: See doubt as a guide that helps you refine and renew your faith. It’s a chance to let go of beliefs that may be holding you back from experiencing a deeper sense of peace and connection.
Myth #5: Doubt Should Be Resolved Quickly
Reality: There’s no need to rush through doubt. Sometimes, the questions that linger the longest lead to the most profound insights. Instead of viewing doubt as a problem to solve, consider it a mystery to explore.
Embrace It: Give yourself permission to sit with doubt for as long as it takes. It’s okay not to have all the answers. Let doubt be a teacher, guiding you to a richer, fuller understanding of your spiritual journey.
Spiritual doubt is not something to be feared but welcomed. Embracing doubt allows us to deepen our understanding, renew our convictions, and approach our faith with humility and openness. By letting go of these myths, we give ourselves the freedom to explore and expand, making room for a faith that feels genuine and alive.
Introduction to the Dark Night
There comes a time in life when everything familiar begins to slip away, and the things you once clung to for comfort and certainty dissolve into shadows. This is the “dark night of the soul,” a phrase that has echoed through centuries of spiritual writing, yet remains a mystery until you live it yourself. It’s not just a period of doubt or confusion—it’s a deep, existential crisis that shakes the very foundation of who you are.
There comes a time in life when everything familiar begins to slip away, and the things you once clung to for comfort and certainty dissolve into shadows. This is the “dark night of the soul,” a phrase that has echoed through centuries of spiritual writing, yet remains a mystery until you live it yourself. It’s not just a period of doubt or confusion—it’s a deep, existential crisis that shakes the very foundation of who you are.
Imagine standing on solid ground, only to feel it give way beneath your feet. The air grows cold, the light fades, and you’re left groping in the darkness, unsure of which way to turn. The dark night is a descent into that void, a place where everything you once believed is called into question. It’s the death of certainty and the birth of something new—though in the midst of it, you might not recognize it as such.
For me, this dark night wasn’t a sudden storm, but a slow, creeping fog that rolled in over years. It began with small cracks in the facade, little doubts that I pushed aside, telling myself they were nothing. But as time went on, those cracks widened, and the doubts grew louder, until I could no longer ignore them. I found myself in a place where all the answers I had relied on no longer made sense, and I was forced to confront the terrifying possibility that everything I believed might be wrong.
Have you experienced your own 'dark night'? How did it shape your faith or personal journey? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re curious about navigating the dark night of the soul, be sure to follow me on Instagram @breakingthetablets for more reflections, or check out my free 5-Day Mindset Challenge.