When we experience chronic pain or loss, our natural response is to hide our hearts in order to protect them from additional pain. We default to public images of competence, minimizing, and prioritizing and we avoid getting the help we need from our friends, family, and the church. But when we distance ourselves from people, we are ultimately distancing ourselves from God. He wants a close relationship with us and will seek to remove the veils we are hiding behind. Thought it may seem uncomfortable at first, letting go of our self-protection always leads to renewed life. Beyond the veil there is always hope.