Release Your Pain & Heal:
A Lenten Journey of Transformation

'Stories and Other Things Holy' Episode 20:

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Grace is Good and Patient

Hello Friends,

This project continues to be an adventure—one where the particulars of our daily lives echo the deeper themes we explore on the podcast. This week’s episode, the first in our Lenten Series, arrived as both a surprise and a profound grace for me. When Terry and I sat down to record earlier this week, it quickly became clear that there were pressing needs—mostly on my end—that demanded our attention. Instead of rushing into a neat, planned-out discussion, we allowed ourselves to pivot and lean into the needs of the soul: to grapple with the gifts we carry, which are often interwoven with our own vulnerabilities and the pains we’re tempted to hold onto.

In Episode 20 ( I know...right?!?), Terry shares a story that I refer back to time and again—a narrative born from a moment at Starved Rock State Park, a place steeped in personal memory and quiet wonder. There, during an unexpected massage experience, Terry encountered not just physical relief, but a powerful invitation to "breathe into" his pain, to release it, and in doing so, to rediscover healing. It’s a story that resonates deeply with the Lenten journey: the journey of surrender, of confronting our familiar hurts, and of trusting that the act of letting go can transform us from the inside out.

I was particularly struck by the way grace, like a quiet undercurrent, had already been laying in wait for us—long before we even knew we needed it. Recorded in July of last year, three months before our podcast even launched, this story reminds us that sometimes the gifts of grace arrive ahead of time, preparing our hearts to face our own urgent needs for healing and renewal.

As we move through this Lenten season, I invite you to reflect on those in your life who might benefit from releasing their pain. Perhaps this podcast can be a soothing balm for someone you know. Consider reaching out with a note or a message—your gentle nudge might be the catalyst that ushers in new life and hope.

Blessings,
Joshua Minden

GRACERCISES

1. Breathing Into Healing

• Find a quiet space and sit comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few slow, deliberate breaths.
• With each inhale, imagine inviting God’s healing presence into every cell of your body. As you exhale, consciously release a piece of the pain or tension you’ve been holding.
• Repeat silently for a few minutes: “Lord, breathe into my pain. Fill me with Your grace. As I inhale, I receive healing; as I exhale, I let go.”
• When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes, carrying with you the sense of release and renewal.

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2. Surrendering the Familiar

• Take a moment to reflect on one familiar pain or burden you often hold onto—perhaps a memory, a recurring worry, or an old hurt.
• In a quiet, gentle prayer, say: “Heavenly Father, help me to surrender this pain. I acknowledge its presence, but I trust in Your promise of healing and renewal. Grant me the courage to let go and embrace transformation.”
• Sit with this prayer for a few minutes, allowing yourself to feel the weight of the burden gradually easing away.
• Conclude by thanking God for the strength to release what no longer serves you, and affirm your commitment to invite His healing into your life.