Your locked heart

You have locked your heart out of fear. Ask Jesus to enter, just as He entered the room where His disciples had locked themselves out of fear after the crucifixion. No matter how you have barred the door, He can and will enter and give you His peace.

Mary's face

What comfort Mary's face was to the disciples after the Ascension; for it was from her that Jesus gained His humanity. To see in her face, His face... what joy and peace would enter their hearts!

Faith and Marriage

Your faith has weakened. Perhaps then, you would do well to remember that Jesus is your Bridegroom, and that marriage is forever. Love is not for convenience or pleasure; it is a commitment. The love of marriage is that which has chosen its beloved for life. The love of Faith is that which has chosen its Beloved for eternity.

In the dry spells and struggles, realize that it is in the forever factor that you will find the peace and relief that you seek-- not in changing or leaving! What beauty and fulfillment and peace comes from the certainty of forever!

Forever Factor

While the forever factor is often what instills fear in the hearts of those contemplating marriage, it is that very factor that brings peace and calm to those who are married. Finally, there is one thing in life that is with absolute certainty: you are to love your husband with everything you are, and he will love you with everything he is, and nothing can separate you. The odd annoying quirks, the faults, the moods... all of these temporary things fade in the perspective of the forever factor.

Obedience

Obedience sets aside the holy from the unholy, the saints from sinners.

"Satan can even clothe himself in a cloak of humility, but he does not know how to wear the cloak of obedience." Diaries of St. Faustina, p.365

Numbness is not holiness

Numbness is not holiness. If you feel emotions that stem from selfishness or faults, do not simply cut yourself off from them and become numb. Rather, choose to act in a holy fashion, even against your feelings, and allow those choices and actions to change your emotions. Ask God to convert the energy to something holy.

If you cut yourself off from your heart, you have cut yourself off from the inner cell where Jesus dwells.

Criticism

You must take all criticism to prayer -- especially when it is given poorly! Ask the Lord to show you what of it is Truth. It may have been unfair but likely it was not unfounded.