As an adult, your ways of reacting to relational intimacy and conflict often stem from the way that your parents responded to your physical and emotional needs. This is called your “attachment style,” and it also shapes how you choose relationships and give/receive love within them.

If you find yourself drawn to the same type of poor relationships, or you continue to play out destructive cycles in your relationships, then your attachment style may be the underlying culprit. The good news is that you can change your attachment style with intentional effort and healing!

We're often so afraid of pain that we default to stuffing our pain or attempting to ignore it. When we choose this path, the end result is unforgiveness, bitterness, and even a “hardness” in our hearts that decreases our capacity for joy, peace, and love.

But there's hope! We can change the way we see pain: Every painful thought is a gift. In this blog, explore 6 steps for processing pain and receiving comfort from God in the midst of it.

A good place to start growing towards relational wholeness is by learning to identify and express your needs.

Why? Because your needs drive most of your actions and behaviors, even if you lack conscious awareness of them.