“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
—Hebrews 12:2

Just in time for Lent, a difficult personal situation thrust me into a season of inner turmoil and sorrow over betrayed relationships. Thankfully, a well-knit community of companions has walked through every dark alley with me and other family members.

I’ve got a long way to go toward healing, but at the moment I can breathe again—so I will take opportunity for initial reflection on varieties of religious language used to console beat-up souls like mine. Here I’m not really referring to specific helpful or ridiculous comments people make in the awkward presence of pain. I’ve made plenty of both in my time—surely even in these recent weeks. I’m more interested to explore larger contours of soul care.

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