“Our reaction to the situation literally has the power to change the situation itself.”
-unknown
Have you ever felt at your wit’s end? Like life is constantly going and you’re hanging on by a thread? What do you do to move yourself forward? How do you rise above the stress and the pressure? How do you encourage yourself to keep going when you feel as if you’re drowning? What do you do when the pain of a season seems more than you can bear?
This year has been one for the books with the level of toughness and grit it takes to keep moving forward. The everyday pressures and stresses of life are more magnified than ever, because of COVID-19 and the restrictions that are in place to keep us safe. But, those restrictions don’t come without a cost. It comes with the cost of constantly fighting mentally, emotionally and spiritually to overcome the obstacles of a battle packed year. With depression, grief, loss, disappointment, stress, anxiety, fear and hopelessness at an all time high, you get to a point where you realize that what you need got get you through this year is beyond you and what you can do in your own strength.
I’ve gotten to a point this year where the phrase, “Cling to your faith in Christ,” has been ringing in my ears. My faith and relationship with God has been what has been driving me through this year of life. I’m starting to see how many of the things I went through this year has helped to perfect my faith while bringing me to a place of maturity and transformation. From my two months of being quarantined with Covid and being isolated from my family, to my oldest daughters diagnosis and my everyday new reality on top of the normal stresses of life, it’s all been apart of what feels like drowning. What do you do when you feel like you’re drowning? When the storms that have been raging against you doesn’t stop but only gets stronger. You have to make a decision to either drown or figure out a way to rise above it.
How do you rise above the storms and stresses of life? That’s a question I’ve been asking myself while i’m in the process of negativing through such a hard season. Although life is tough, so am I. I remind myself of all the hard things I’ve had to overcome over the years and how when I felt that there was no way out God gave me the wisdom too get through. Those little reminders give me the courage find ways to rise above the storm. As I think about what has been helping me through this season these are the things that come to mind:
- Clinging to faith
Holing on to the promises of God has been pushing me through. I’m a firm believer in God doing what he promised. I’ve seen Him move and answer prayers over the years in ways I could have never imagined. So remember God is in control and this year and your circumstances are of no surprise to Him. Trust that he will do exactly what He says.
2. Reflect
Recognize where you are, take time to discover what you need, and remember how you overcame the hard times in the past. Reflection is a must in this season. I take time to write and writing helps me to process what I feel.
3.Be honest and transparent with how you feel
Be honest with how you really feel. Find people to talk to that can listen and encourage you. It’s okay to not be okay. When you know how you feel and take time to discover why you feel that way you can figure out what you need to help move you forward.
4. Take Care of Yourself
Practice self care. Find ways to help you feel like your best self mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Take time do things you enjoy.
5. Find healthy ways to cope
Find an outlet for your stress. Listening to music, taking a walk, reading a book, writing, drawing, sports, hobbies , meditation, etc. When you feel overwhelmed take time to stop, reflect on how you feel and figure out what you need and what you can do in the moment that you feel weak.
When I’ve felt at my wit’s end these have been the things that have been helping me push through. Things maybe hard but hard doesn’t mean impossible. I always remind myself that I can do hard things and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I want to encourage you as we go into this holiday season to know that you are not alone. Although this year has been such a battle there is truly something greater on the other side of this. The pain that you are experiencing is not without purpose.
As I was reading my devotion yesterday I came across some scriptures that greatly encouraged me from Psalm 119:143-149 it says, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees. I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws. I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.”
Reading these scriptures encouraged me to trust God and find joy in doing what His word says. It reminded me that God see and that He hears. Although the pressures and stresses of life bear down on me I realize that there is purpose in it and that I’m not carrying or walking through this season alone. God is with me every step of the way. Thanks for reading! I hope this encourages you.
How do you rise above the pressures and stresses of life? What do you do to help you overcome stress? What are some healthy ways you cope? Comment below I would love to hear your story.
Intentional Hope 