We instinctively brace ourselves when we see pain coming. Our muscles clench: we curl up, we clam up. In the face of pain, we stiffen. But what if, in the face of pain, we softened instead? (1/7)

Our bracing instincts sometimes make the pain worse: a muscle clenched against a vaccine shot hurts more than a relaxed one. A mother giving birth focusing on letting the tension go in her breathing reports lower pain levels than when she tenses her body in resistance. (2/7)

Denial and resistance are hard-wired into our bodies and into our souls. But just as taking deep breaths and surrendering our pent-up tension can reduce pain in our bodies, so too surrendering our hurts and tightly held hopes to God can ease our spirits. (3/7)

“The quickest way for anyone to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west, chasing after the setting sun, but to head east, plunging into the darkness until one comes to the sunrise,” wrote Jerry Sittser in A Grace Disguised. (4/7)

It is scary to surrender - so much of our default response is geared towards self-protection. But we can let go because Jesus went first and made a way. He showed us that the Father is good and worthy of being trusted enough to surrender (Isaiah 26:3) (5/7)

We need not brace and chase. We can turn. We can trust. We need not stiffen; we can soften into the arms of a loving Father. Instead of resisting pain, we can release it to him. A burden shared is a burden lightened. (6/7)

David gave us words when we don’t have any in Psalm 22: words of surrender Jesus himself prayed in his hour of agony. Cry out to the Lord today, he is the way of life.

Written by @bronleatweets

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