My shoulders ached as I leaned forward over the screen.

I need to sit up straighter, I told myself. But no matter how I shifted, the pain didn’t leave. It wasn’t strain, it was stress. And I’ve always carried my stress in my shoulders. The left one is the worst. Right now, it feels like it’s on fire.

There isn’t one single trigger. This summer brought plenty, losing loved ones, a house fire. But honestly, I think the deeper reason is this: when I try to carry things I was never meant to carry, my shoulders remind me.

I worry. I stress. I cling to control. I make my wants, needs, and fears the center of my universe. But what if I shifted my focus? What if I let go, just a little? All my striving, stress, and worry are stealing the very life I’m trying so hard to protect.

I’ve always dreamed of being something great, a powerhouse businesswoman, a dynamic ministry leader, a voice on a stage inspiring thousands. But today, I came across this simple quote in my Facebook feed:

“There are a few, select people who make positive memorable change in the world. Yet each person, through their small actions, can make a difference. In the end, you do not need the world to know your goodness, just the few people you touch with your acts.”

And maybe that’s enough.

Maybe I don’t need the world to know my goodness. Maybe the world just needs to know His.

And just like that, my shoulders feel better.