I’ve mentioned that May is a stressful month. I’m re-releasing ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, and debuting ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. My step-son is getting married out of state, and our son is graduating from high school. There’s college tasks to tend to, end of the year school stuff for both kids, and a lot of issues that need my attention and prayer.

Frankly, I’ve been a mess.

Enough so that I scheduled what I call a spiritual tweak with my pastor and his wife. It’s like going to the chiropractor. Every so often I can tell I need counsel and to be transparent, and this was one of those times. Although I won’t share all my dirty laundry, something huge came from it that I believe might encourage you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

As I kept talking (and talking and talking,) my pastor’s wife noted I kept using the same phrase. “I’m afraid.”

I’m afraid of failing. I’m afraid of turning into people who wounded me in the past. I’m afraid I’ll fall into temptation. I’m afraid of telling people what I really think. I’m afraid, I’m afraid, I’m afraid.

That fear seized me and I didn’t realize it. Transitioning to an indie author and being an extreme introvert means I’m extra isolated lately. My mind went into overdrive and I wasn’t sharing my thoughts.

My pastor had a great visual to encourage me.

The arch is a great visual to focus on when feeling overwhelmed.

He told me no matter how many issues I have, if I’m on one side of the arch, and Jesus is on the other, I can stack a ton of stuff on the arch and it will not break.

It. will. not. break.

What a comfort.

Do you have a visual you can go to when you’re overwhelmed? If not, consider the arch!

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ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present will re-release and ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past will debut this month. I’d love if you would follow me on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as all social media @JulieArduini to be among the first to know when they are ready for purchase.