Polished on the Outside, Heavy on the Inside

This past Christmas, my children bought me a beautiful tote bag. I have loved it for almost 2 years, and when I finally got it, I was reluctant to put anything inside.  

It doesn't take long to muddy up the inside while still presenting polished on the outside. I lived in that space for many years with anxiety and fear. Pretending that to be something that I wasn't while carrying around what felt like the world's burdens.

Have you ever felt that way? Like a stunning handbag? The kind that looks put together, classy, and complete.

But if you opened it up... it would expose a much different story.

Old things weigh it down, carrying everything, but what you really need; peace.

The truth is, a lot of us walk around like that.

We present well. We smile. We post. We say, "I'm fine." But inside? We're carrying the heavy stuff no one sees:

• Fear that paralyzes our progress
• Overwhelm from trying to do it all
• Grief that hasn't had space to breathe
• Rejection that still stings
• Hurt we've dressed up in high-functioning habits

And the weight of it all? It's exhausting. Not just emotionally but spiritually.

But I've learned that you don't have to carry what God never asked you to hold.

He invites us to lay it down. To trade our heaviness for His peace. To stop performing and start healing.

You were never meant to live burdened. You were meant to live free.

So, today is your reminder: 🤍It's time to unzip the beautiful bag and do some heart decluttering.

Let go of what no longer serves you. Make space for hope and peace.

Radiate from the inside out and remember that God is not impressed by how you present.

He's in love with your heart and wants to unburden it.