Many people want to feel emotionally and spiritually well, but aren’t always sure how to get there. The Plumline blog offers practical guidance that will help you get unstuck, find rest, and experience peace.
Setting New Boundaries in Old Relationships
The holiday season is often a re-entering into your oldest relational wounds. In another week or so, you’ll go sit across the table with those who you have a history of hurt with, and maybe some level of tension. If you want to continue on in a relationship with them, but you want to do it in a wiser way than before, this is where the “boundary” conversation comes in. A boundary is this: What
“Relaxed.”
When he was still with us, Dallas Willard was asked by a student of his to describe Jesus in one word. Many options are on the table for such a question, as those options include, Healer, Savior, Redeemer, Lover, or Lord. Willard’s answer was equally striking. Sitting back in his chair, as though he was reviewing his relational history with Christ, the late philosophy professor from USC answered in this way: “Relaxed.” I don’t know
Can Loneliness Kill You?
You may have been tricked into believing that it is not “good” for you to feel lonely. This is not true. Loneliness is either true for you in any given moment, or it is not. In fact, loneliness exists to remind you of something that has always been true about you: You are made for relationships. When you do not have quality, mutual relationships, you feel lonely. If you ignore this loneliness long enough, you
Kicking Codependency & Experiencing Healthy Relationships
Codependency is all too common. What’s worse, it keeps you from experiencing healthy and mutual relationships with those who matter most. Here’s what codependency is: codependency is excessive emotional or psychological reliance on another. How do you know if codependency is true for you in your relationships? Here are five symptoms: You feel responsible for other’s needs and problems You can’t handle being misunderstood or must clarify when misunderstood You can’t bear when others have
The Weekender’s Guide to Restoration
Chances are, you worked your tail off this week. As you head into this weekend, here is the question: Will your weekend be one of reprieve, or one of restoration? Here is the difference: Reprieve is when you take a temporary break from the pressures of life. You have a few drinks, you watch a lot of TV, you mindlessly scroll on your phone. . . The problem is, at some point you have to
When You Practice Presence, Everyone Benefits
In this caffeinated world we find ourselves in, it is so easy to lose yourself in all of life’s demands. There is even a temptation to double down on hurry and anxiety in order to make it to the bottom of your list. Here’s the problem with hurrying through life to get it all done: It doesn’t really work. Even if you DO check the list, pay the bills, and get everyone fed, what is
When You Feel Guilty
What exactly is the feeling of guilt? Guilt is the feeling that arises when you have crossed a moral boundary, or done harm to yourself or another. Guilt can be a heavy feeling to feel. It is often difficult to admit when we have harmed or hurt. It is for this reason that many are so defended against their guilt and will do ANYTHING not to feel it. Unfortunately, if you suppress your guilt, it
Learning From Your Loneliness
How do you know when you’re lonely? And, if you do find that loneliness is what you feel—what can you do about it? Loneliness is what you feel when you feel dismissed, unseen, and unknown by those in your life. This lack of meaningful connection with others may fill you with shame, remind you of hurt, or paralyze you with fear. Whatever the case may be, it is critical that you feel and face your
“To be steady while the world spins around you…”
It is a new year, but the task is still the same. Stillness. Yes, in this restless world you find yourself in, there can be sanity. There can be stillness. Stillness is what Jesus had the night a furious storm came and waves swept over the boat. Stillness is what the archer accesses when she aims her arrow. Maybe you’ve felt stillness on a walk long overdue, or halfway through a favorite novel? Stillness makes
“What do you want?”
Jesus is famous for asking questions. Perhaps the question of his that resonates most around the new year is the one he asks blind Bartimaeus? “What do you want me to do for you?” This question is not without context. Bartimaeus has already let everyone within earshot know that he wants something. At one point, Bartimaeus is begging so loud for Jesus’s attention that even Jesus’s followers try to silence him. “…But he shouted all
Slowing Down For Christmas
Have you ever made it through a Christmas season and wondered, “Where’d it all go?” You’re not alone. For those that want this season to happen a little slower, and with a little more intentionality—consider this: Advent exists to help you ground in the meaning of the season. In fact, the word “Advent” actually comes from the Latin word “Adventis” which means, “an arrival.” The coming of Christ is so subtle that it happens in
Understanding What Keeps You From Rest…
It can be difficult to find rest in any season, let alone the busiest one of the year. If you are already starting to experience the signs of burnout and exhaustion this December, consider this: You are a limited human being with needs for love, rest, and stillness. In fact, your ability to experience God’s restorative love is directly proportionate to your willingness to be in need with him. As you step into sabbath this
