April 9: Arise Before the Storm Clears
by: Tamelia Barriffe Key Text: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1 There are seasons in life where things are not falling apart, yet something within does not feel fully present. On the outside, everything appears intact. People show up, respond, lead, and continue to support others. Responsibilities are met, expectations are fulfilled, and from a distance, everything seems stable. Yet internally, there can be a quiet awareness that something is off. Not chaos, not crisis, but a subtle disconnection. It is possible to be functioning and still not feel fully engaged. There may be mental overload, where thoughts are constantly active but lack clarity. There may be emotional suppression, where feelings are acknowledged but not processed. There may even be a kind of internal imbalance that does not present as a breakdown, but instead as distance. For example, distance from rest, from peace, and sometimes even fr...