During stressful times, we may worry, doubt, or be filled with uncertainty.
There are many circumstances we face that are beyond our control. As human beings, the struggle is to not focus on our emotional reactions; fear, anxiety, doubt, worry, what if’s, etc.
As new creations in Christ, we have an unlimited resource in spiritually discerning how to proceed in life’s complexities. We are gifted and infused with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit offers wisdom, direction, guidance, and supernaturally empowers. Listening, receiving, and responding to the Spirit’s voice of Love reorients our minds and hearts to live according to the teachings of Christ in good and bad times.
Here are a few suggestions to help provide guidance when facing overwhelming adversities.
1) Affirm your identity in Christ. No matter what difficulties we face, learning to continually receive from the unlimited resource of Grace is our role. This requires surrendering our helplessness and inability while simultaneously accepting and responding from the spirit-life of Christ as the source.
2) Establish realistic expectations for the things you can control. Then, learn to make choices that will benefit the body, soul, and Spirit.
3) Deepen your spiritual practices; reading, meditating, reflecting on scriptures, and praying. Engage in contemplativeness. Play worship music and lift your voice in praise. The situation might not change, but our heart attitude will.
4) Remain grounded in the truth of scriptures and God’s promises. Remember who we are and whose we are in Christ.
5) Acknowledge, accept and allow what is true about the situation and what is true about our emotional responses. It is okay to be afraid. It is okay to feel uncertain. It is okay to live in the uncomfortable moments of uncertainty. It is okay to not be okay at times. We just don’t want to be stuck in the emotional reactions.
6) Intentionally redirect focus away from trying to control and let go of all that is not in your power. Release those things that frustrate, irritate, anger, or otherwise irk you on the inside and allow the Spirit of Love to place a holy balm of healing in those areas.
7) Determining what choices and options you have. Take the small steps necessary in actions you can take. If there is no action to take, then engage in practicing the disciplines of your Faith.
8) Recognize limitations.
9) Take time to rest. Walk or sit outside, sip warm tea, diffuse oils, talk to a trusted friend, soak in a bath, seek wise counsel, help another person, relax with guided meditation, practice daily breathing exercises to calm your nervous system.
10) Close your eyes and meditate on the following verse: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Our Faith is stretched in trying seasons, and in those times, we often discover God has provided us with the rich resources of himself along with a beloved community. We can reach out to those trusted confidences we have fostered to vent, cry, pray with and discuss the struggles.
In these bonded relationships within the community, we find support, encouragement, and strength. It is in the safety know in authentic friendships we find solace, comfort, and soundness. However, if we don’t have any trusted friends, we can learn to reach out of our comfort zone to begin the process of nurturing closeness with others.
Trust is not easy to develop, nor should it be quickly given to just anyone. However, learning who can be trusted and who holds confidence is walking in wisdom and understanding that we are all vulnerable. We are all in need of Grace, mercy, and Love from our Father and from one another.
Our highest need is to stay rooted in the life of Christ, and our second most significant requirement is to remain in close relationships within the community. Father’s life is manifested from compassionate, caring relationships, and in these friendships, Hope is inspired, Faith is renewed, and Love discovered.
“For now, we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now Faith, Hope, and Love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is Love.” 1 Corinthians 13:12-13