All those bottled-up emotions and feelings—deep, hidden emotions bursting to the surface.
Some would describe them as, “peeling the onion layers.”
Me? I’d prefer to think of them like color pencil shavings after they are sharpened. I mean, wouldn’t you rather have colorful emotions pouring out than stinky ones? Unless of course, your pencils are fruited-fragrance. Then stinky could be good. Or not. If you don’t like fruit.
We all—and I mean all, have stuff we’ve buried. Many of us never get them out. Some don’t know how to express them, some of us can’t or won’t.
It’s a failure to communicate; if you don’t even try.
There are experts who can help. They sit and listen. Unbiased. Non-judgmental, experts, trained to peel those shavings.
But, there are those people who feel going to an expert is a sign of weakness, because they should be able to deal on their own. After all, it’s their feelings. No one knows you better, than you. Right? Kind of. How’s that working for you?
You are in relationships. Relationships, to succeed, must have communication.
“What if, I speak or write out my hidden emotions, feelings or thoughts that have been buried and then I’m totally misunderstood and my words are twisted and turned back on me?”
What if? What ifs will drive you batty. Sheering the layers will set you free, no matter what the outcome. This is my humble opinion.
It’s not healthy, holding things in. Men are known to be notorious for this. Not macho to share feelings. HA! Could be why men seem to die sooner too. (Not a medical or factual statistic—just an opinion). It’s a stressor one doesn’t need. No one is a mind-reader. Although, some charge to pretend they are. (Again, my opinion). We need verbal communication.
The best way to trim those emotions, can be found in One who doesn’t judge, who knows every hair on your head, who knows where you’ve been and where you’re going, what you’ve said or not said, done or not done. And that One, is God.
If there is anything you think He doesn’t know about you—think again. He knew you before you were born. And He loves you. He would love to help you peel those shavings away and set your mind free.
There are so many scriptures in the Bible about laying your burdens at the foot of the cross, to trust Him to carry them. To seek His face. He wants you to come to Him. He adores you and wants the very best for you…mentally, physically and spiritually. If you are unable to communicate with another person, be it an expert or not…He is the ultimate choice. And a very good listener. Allow Him to shear those color pencil shavings and make something beautiful out of you.
In one of the books I have an article in, Inspire Promise, I wrote about how God will never leave me. He won’t leave you either. This book is filled with stories of other writers who tell of how God’s promises never cease. Communicate with Him, and with the ones you love.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thought I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all our heart.
Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel.
Psalm 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek my face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 28:6-7 Blessed be the Lord, Because He heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.
(Scriptures taken from NKJV)
Great post.
Thank you Susan. Really appreciate you dropping by.
A lovely lesson wrapped in a beautiful metaphor.
Thanks so much, Nora. So glad you stopped by.
Very Nice. Like the format.
Thank you, Judy. Appreciate you stopping by.
Hi Chrissy, great post. I love the comparison of onion layers to colored pencil shavings. And I agree communication can be difficult when you’ve stuffed feelings deep down. Great encouraging scripture verses.
Thank you, Dina. And, thank you for visiting me here. God Bless you!
I always enjoy reading your creative thoughts that you have the gift of putting into words. Not only do I find I can relate, but also interesting and helpful. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Lenore. Means a bunch. So happy you can relate and they are helpful to you. And thank you for visiting me here. God bless you!
I love love your imagery of pencil shavings. I doubt I’ll ever look at them the same way. Maybe I should carry my filled sharpener in a purse. And dump it out when I’m having a date with someone who needs to vent. LOL Then I’ll tell them…be sure to Cast your cares on the Lord!
Love it! It always amazes me, the words God puts in our minds and we put them down on paper. Thank you for understanding my meaning. 🙂 Bless you!
Great post. I like your use of colored pencil shavings, cleaning away the dirty and used part and sharpening the point for use. And the scriptures you used were good ones.
Gail, thank you so much. I’m so happy you could relate to this article. Thank you for visiting me here. God bless you!
I love your post Chrissy. I’m usually not good at communicating my feelings with others of fear not to be understood but this encourages me to open and freely communicate with God. Blessings!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Svetlana and for visiting me on my blog. God bless you!
Wow…powerful, beautiful words…so inspirational! God has truly given you the gift of writing…to uplift, inspire and encourage through His word speaking to you. Love you! ❤️
You are too kind, Emily. Thank you so much for your support and for visiting me on my blog. God’s blessings.
As an artist, I always try to think of ways to use those literal pencil shavings. You remind me that maybe I don’t need to hang on to them after all. Enjoy reading your blog. No wonder you keep beating me at Word With Friends!
Would love to see some of your work, Sheila. And, Word With Friends…is all about the letters. 🙂 Thank you for visiting my blog. Blessings.
“If you are unable to communicate with another person . . . He is the ultimate choice.” Amen and amen. I’m more grateful than words can express that God is the One who sees, knows, and holds all in His gentle hands. Thanks for a great reminder. ☺
Oh yes, Bethany. He does see and knows all. You are so right about that. And He loves us more than we can imagine. Thank you for visiting me here. God’s blessings!
So much fun reading your posts…Always lots of good things to read and think about…Thanks Sarah!!!
Awe, thanks for stopping by to read them, Mike. LOL. That nickname you gave me is going to confuse people. 🙂 Blessings to you, my friend.