Helping you navigate the tension between faith & mental health by looking at a tension point, a talking point and a truth to ponder.
Tension Point
"Life feels overwhelming right now—like I’m walking a tightrope, just trying to keep everything in balance. But I’ve noticed tiny moments that help me catch my breath... can those really make a difference?”
Talking Point
I don’t know about you, but life can sometimes feel relentless—like an obstacle course of expectations, noise, and stress. And yet, I’ve been noticing something surprising lately: little moments that spark joy or bring unexpected calm. A slant of sunlight through the window. The feel of my dog’s head on my knee. A verse of Scripture that seems to be just for me.
Some psychologists now call these moments “glimmers”—the opposite of triggers. Where triggers disrupt, glimmers soothe. Rooted in Polyvagal Theory, they’re tiny cues that signal safety to the nervous system. They can shift us from stress into a state of calm and connection.
And faith invites us into the same shift. The God who created our nervous systems also gifts us these moments as reminders: I am with you. You are safe. You are loved. They’re not just psychological flashes of calm; they’re spiritual nudges, drawing our hearts back to truth.
Truth to Ponder
You don’t have to wait for a big breakthrough to begin feeling better. Glimmers offer real hope—and they’re already in your day. Here’s how to start noticing:
Name the glimmers. Keep a note in your phone or journal. What small things soothe you? A warm drink? A kind word? A certain worship song?
Lean into them. When you notice one, pause. Breathe. Let it sink in. Let it minister to your nervous system—and your soul.
Create space for them. Glimmers don’t always crash into our day. Sometimes we have to slow down enough to see them. Take walks, pause for prayer, watch the clouds. Simplicity is holy ground.
Let faith frame them. Don’t just see them as happy coincidences. See them as signs—divine fingerprints of a God who is near.
Share them. Glimmers grow stronger when shared. Text a friend the moment. Thank God aloud. Let it strengthen your community and your faith.
The more we notice glimmers, the more they grow. They tether us to hope, resilience, and joy. Like David in Psalm 23, who, in the midst of adversity, felt God leading him to quiet waters and green pastures to refresh his soul.
So take heart. Keep looking. The glimmers are there—scientifically grounding, spiritually uplifting, and always available to those who seek them.