To the one who keeps her emotions in a box,
Hi. I know you. I see you. I understand.
I know you're facing a lot. I know you're caring for a lot of people. I know you're hurting. I know there are things in your life causing you pain, and stress and the feeling of being unloved. I know your schedule is so packed that by the time you finally finish everything you have to do, the last thing you want to do is process your emotions. To actually sit down and journal and think about how you feel. Thinking and sorting takes time. Thinking and sorting can often make your pain worse. It's easier, for the time being, to take all that you're up against and all that you're dealing with and shove those things in a box and put them at the top of your mental closet. You think that maybe if you leave them there, they'll go away, or at least you won't have to deal with them right now. You assure yourself that you'll get to it later, only to realize that three months later your life is falling apart and all of your emotion boxes that you had neatly stored away are lying scattered on the ground in a heap of tears. I know you try to pick up the pieces and force a cheery smile on your face so no one has to be bothered by your problems. I know you think your frustrations with grades, or work, or friends or your car breaking down seems insignificant. I know you compare your problems to those around you and think, "I don't really have it that bad."
I know this because I am you.
And I've got to tell you... stop.
Stop trying to care for the entire world. Stop believing that your emotions don't matter. Stop thinking that you're strong enough to carry your load on your own. You aren't. I promise. Boxing your emotions is a subtly prideful way of saying that you can do it on your own.
You weren't created to carry your own load. In fact, the One who created you longs to carry it for you. In Matthew 11, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (11:28-30, NASB).
Taking on Jesus's yoke means laying down our own yoke, our own struggles, our own shortcomings, and recognizing that resting in Him is the better way. Worrying will get us nowhere. Look at 1 Peter 5:6-7: "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (NASB).
Do it with me. Let's choose to fight against the tendency to box in our emotions. Let's lay down our struggles, and pick up the yoke of Jesus. Let's cast our anxiety on the Lord and cry out to Him in the hurt and the struggle. Let's schedule, and actually take the time to journal or talk with a friend or stretch or run, whatever helps you. Let's learn to pray without ceasing. Let's learn to understand that we can't care for others well if we're not doing anything to fix the hurt within ourselves. Hurt people hurt people.
You are not alone. You can't save the world, or even yourself. Neither can I.
Let's do this. Together.
May today be the day we choose to stop fighting alone.
