"So often an encounter with another person leaves you shaking your head. Different personalities, learning styles, thought processes… and then there's that healing thing.

Many people have never even considered healing.

Others carry their wound like an old friend,

one that invades every circumstance.

Some are so attached to their wounding that if they sense you might take it from them, you'll get the message fast.

If you hold onto pain without ever doing the work to heal it,

expect turbulent relationships.

You'll filter everything through that pain —

misreading people,

overreacting,

getting triggered by the smallest things.

You won't always know why.

We don't relate well to others when this is where we live.

Refuse to heal, and you'll keep reliving the wound, over and over.

That's how addiction cycles persist.

With God's healing so available to us, it's sad watching people let pain reign over their lives instead.

It's costly — so many blessings missed, so much joy lost.

Relationships are hard enough on their own. Now try communicating through a wound that's never healed —it's like trying to see the world through a patch over one eye.

You're missing part of the picture, and it's costing you.

Why would anyone choose that?

Because they've been deceived into believing life will always look the way it always has.

They can't see that change is possible — and precious.

But here's the truth: healing is a gift.

It opens doors to deeper growth and joy.

Yes, it's hard — often brutal, soul-level work. But when you consider what it can do for your marriage, your children, your work, your friendships, it's worth every bit of it.

I've seen it firsthand — people who doggedly pursued healing, and now their spouses, children, friends, even employers say how grateful they are. You would be too.

So if the challenges feel overwhelming and the excuses are exhausting, choose healing instead. See the world through a new filter.

It's time. Your life may depend on it." Ann Stewart Porter.