A Soft Heart and Tough Feet

When I was a kid, I was always the one crying. As a teenager, I'd go in the car (or the garden) to pout when my feelings were hurt. And now, as an adult, the pain is still as stinging. I lose sleep over interpersonal problems. I have never become toughened to cruel words and mean people. And yet I am an adult - I would not be able to function if every cruelty stopped me in my tracks. As a teacher of kids and teens, I see how cruel they can be to one another. And I think, "they need to mature"! And yet how many adults are just as bad, just as petty and immature?! I have been working on how to deal with these situations, as it has come out into the forefront. I just can't go and pout in the car anymore! What do we do with hurt?
I love several images my pastors have given me on different occasions. One image is that Jesus fits into the space between us and that hurt - almost like a barrier. The other is the idea that we have a soft heart but tough feet. We are still gracious and softened to people, but we walk into situations with strength and armor. A modern dancer, who dances with bare feet, has strong calloused feet - tough feet! When we turn and jump and roll and spin, our calloused feet are protecting us. When I first began modern dance, my feet became cracked and bloody, but as I progressed they became tough and calloused - and those callouses became like a protective barrier.
I used to pray that God would change me and make me tough - make me not be such a crybaby. I don't pray that anymore. I feel God has made me to be sensitive and compassionate and soft for a reason. To use me. To be a living example of His heart. But as I put him in that space between me and my hurt, when I allow him to toughen my feet for the work He has for me, I feel I can walk on, move ahead. I feel stronger, able to get out of the car, turn my frown upside down, find a joy, even amongst cruel words and actions.