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Get It Off My Chest

Get It Off My Chest

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Get It Off My Chest--Man bench pressing weights with woman coaching him

Sometimes a weightlifter tries to bench press too much. When that happens, the lifter may think or say, “Get it off my chest.”

We may not be weightlifters. However, we do occasionally need to get things off our chest.

To get it off my chest means to say something we have wanted to say a long time.

We may:

  • Confess a wrong.
  • Complain about or criticize an injustice.
  • Reveal hidden information.
  • Discuss a problem that worries us.

To get it off my chest usually results in relief.

We feel better when we let go of that excess baggage. The burden of emotional discomfort from pent-up feelings lifts.

When burdens weigh us down, seek support.

Life is too difficult to deal with on our own. Request help from:

  • Friends
  • Family
  • Support groups
  • Pastors
  • Counselors

Everyone can use extra encouragement. We never have to bear our cross alone.

Our greatest help comes from God. When we give all our lives—burdens, sins, hurts—to God, we gain a fresh start and the reassurance of God’s never-failing presence.

Thanks to Katherine Pasour for the suggestion. Photo by Michael DeMoya on Unsplash.

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Packed Like Sardines

Packed Like Sardines

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Packed Like Sardines--an opened can of sardinesI am not a sardine fan, but many people are. Whether we like them or not, we get our money’s worth when we buy a tin of sardines. Those cans are full of little fish. We enjoy food packed like sardines. However, we don’t like to feel crowded ourselves.

Packed like sardines means to be packed tightly.

Usually that includes feeling:

  • Uncomfortable
  • Unable to move

We hope for relief soon

The space is too small for the number of people in it. That often happens with:

  • Subways
  • Buses
  • Concerts
  • Shopping centers
  • City streets

We don’t have enough room. We feel trapped

Rather than crowds and fenced in places, we long for the freedom of wide-open spaces.

Crowds can be good sometimes.

We want lots of people to show up to:

  • Learn important information
  • Help others
  • Receive the services they need

Jesus welcomed crowds while on earth and continues to welcome crowds today. However, Jesus also spent time alone. We do well to follow that example.

“Crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16 NIV).

Thanks to Joe and Ann Klotz for the suggestion. Image by monicore from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Let Up

Let Up

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Let Up--Ice covered shrubA few years ago, everyone hoped an ice storm would soon let up. The heavy ice:

  • Covered and broke limbs on shrubs and trees
  • Downed power lines
  • Made travel impossible

Sometimes we feel like we cannot get a let up from life’s storms. When it rains, it pours. Problems overwhelm us. We reach the end of our rope.

Recent tornadoes:

  • Destroyed homes and property
  • Injured and killed people going about their daily lives
  • Damaged entire communities

To let up means to slow down or stop.

This can apply to:

  • Weather
  • Speed
  • Hard times
  • Physical, mental, or emotional pressure

This expression often applies to relationships.

  • Children want parents to let up on rules.
  • Employees want bosses to let up on work.
  • Many times, we need to let up on ourselves.

Whatever our pressures, God offers relief.

Problems do not always go away. However, God offers peace, hope, and comfort in every situation.

“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV).

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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