We tend to project that our lives are totally in balance. We hide our anger but not always our own feelings of brokenness. We trumpet our successes and minimize our disappointments. When a confrontation looms we tend to avoid the moment. We withdraw in conflict. Often, we’re quick to argue and slow to make peace. These feelings are real and need to be dealt with. We must defeat our fears by confronting them. Usually at the root of all of this is bitterness, which increases our susceptibility to attacks from the lower side of life. On a plane, the crew will always tell us to put on our own air mask first before we help others with theirs. It’s the same with helping another who is suffering – we need to transform our own hearts before we can help other heal.