In the midst of life’s tumultuous waves, there are times when we feel as though we’ve given our all, yet we can’t seem to escape the whirlpool of despair. In such moments, I want to affirm that your emotions are valid. They are real, and they are as significant as the air you breathe. It is crucial to understand that acknowledging these feelings is a vital step in dealing with them. 

Many counselors and experts consistently affirm that one of the keys to healing is to acknowledge what it is that you feel. They encourage us to not deny or hide our emotions, but rather to name them. You’ve probably heard this before, “revealing your feelings is the beginning of healing.”

Revealing your feelings is the beginning of healing.

This process of revealing feelings is akin to bringing them out into the open, allowing them to breathe and exist outside the confines of our minds. If you feel hopeless, admit it. If you are grappling with anger, hurt, betrayal, or depression, acknowledge these feelings. You might say, “I feel empty right now,” or “I feel numb.” The act of naming your feelings gives them form, making them tangible and, therefore, easier to address.

If you want to TAME it, you have to NAME it.

This practice is not a novel concept. It is as old as humanity itself. The biblical prophet Elijah, for instance, did exactly this when he cried out to God, saying, “Lord, I can’t go on anymore. I can’t do it.” He was honest about his feelings of despair, and this openness paved the way for his healing.

but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.”

1 Kings 9:4

The journey to healing begins with the simple act of acknowledging our feelings. By naming them, we give ourselves permission to feel, to hurt, and, most importantly, to heal. We allow ourselves to be human, to be vulnerable, and in that vulnerability, we find strength.

Revealing your feelings is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to your courage. It is an affirmation of your humanity and a crucial step towards healing. So, let’s peel off the layers of pretense, let’s stop hiding behind the veil of denial, and let’s start naming our feelings.

Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel. And when you’re ready, it’s okay to start healing. Because revealing your feelings, in all their raw, unfiltered glory, is indeed the beginning of healing.