But what if accessing and expressing compassion is not something that comes naturally to you?

Does it matter?

Guest Writer: my husband, Justin Bradbury

If the image of God is our truest self, is that identity clear in us?

There was a time in my life, in my late 30s and early 40s, when it seemed God was more impersonal. I didn’t understand very much about being created in the image of God.

With any vision from God, there’s waiting. Yet, we struggle with it. I don’t think it's popular.  Or something we like.  Desire.  Or seek.

Let’s be real, forgiveness is not easy.

Is it really possible to choose to forgive someone over offense?

I think it’s important to keep the conversation about offense real. To continue to look into our own inner lives. And think about the ways we relate to those in our relationships who are offending us.

For months this question has been rolling around inside my head.

Is it the press and stress of finances?

Or a seemingly lost relationship?

Is it the feeling of unhappiness at work?

Or the sense of fading dreams?

Is it a child going his/her own way?

Or aging parents?

What immediately comes to mind?

When fear seizes us we have a hard time thinking clearly. Seeing straight. Making wise decisions.

Think about how frustration appears in your life.

Do you feel jealous?

Like you’ve been robbed of certain experiences?

Cynical about your future?

Ungrateful for the little things around you?

We live in a wider culture that seems caught up in a blowing wind of changing identity. It used to be we altered our personality based on the people around us. Now, we question our very essence.

Why am I here?

Does my sex make a difference?

How does it contribute to who I am?

How can I know?

How many times a day do you say something negative or condemning to yourself about your looks, your weight, your complexion, or your physique? What’s your reaction? How do the messages make you feel?

Often, when we look at the story of Adam and Eve, we focus mainly on their downfall. What theologians call “The Fall.” Rarely, however, do we pay much attention to the relational implications of their decision. Think about it this way. What exactly changed in their relationship with each other, themselves individually, and their relationship with God when they decided to go their own way?

What in your life are you hesitating doing?

Many of us are low on hope because we’re stalling. Dragging our feet. Standing still.

Where is it for you?

Many of us are disconnected from our true selves, the person God created us to be. We sense it emotionally, inside us, and relationally, as we interact with others. But we’re not sure why. We’re also not sure how to change it.

Do you believe your life has value? When you look in a mirror, how do you see yourself? How does it influence the way you relate to yourself? How do you treat yourself? Is it with criticism, or is it with love and kindness?

Notice how the psalmist talks with God — with passion, specificity, and emotion. Yes, that’s right, full emotion. There’s nothing placid or stoic about his expressions, questions, or intonations. So I’m wondering why do we sanitize ours? Why do we pray politely?

So often it seems we opt for the safe life. One we can control. Appear successful in. Convince others we belong. But things don’t always work out the way we plan. We can feel less than, left out, or wounded. If this happens, we can also experience something else — the longing for something more.

God is with us. He personally knows us. Not from distance, but with us. This means we’re not combating the circumstances or questions in our life on our own. That’s how we begin to think when we’re looking down. The psalmist is convinced God knows us 100 percent.