When Life Overwhelms

What to do when the day seems to get the better of you?

My dad was something else. He had a love for life even though his was not always perfect. Every new day excited him, for he could do something, go somewhere, talk to someone, or simply enjoy being alive. He loved to sing: "Pack up your troubles in your own kit bag and smile, smile, smile", and other World War II songs about getting through the day to a better life ahead.

Since my days as a little girl listening to his songs, I have learned, however, it's not always as easy as that; as singing a song or enjoying a fresh cup of hot tea to melt away the worries. Or is it?

May we sit down for a minute and get real? Where do we go when the pain gets too much? How do we guide our minds when we have to double up in strength? Let's talk...

Stay steady, just for today.

You can do today. Trouble comes when you load tomorrow and your whole future on top of today. We were not created to carry all of the past and the future in one load. Focus on what is at hand and how to make the best of today, and when tomorrow comes, you’ll be stronger and wiser.

Know you are stronger than what you think.

Your mind is powerful and tends to remind you of your weaknesses when it is trapped in a cycle of negativity. Truth is, believing you are strong enough and seeing yourself making it through, is a huge indicator of how well you’ll survive life’s messes.

Lean in, lean on.

Don’t hesitate to let someone into your world that can help you stay in faith and remind you of the song in your heart when you can’t hear it any more. Be weak when confession leads to healing and cleansing, and when you feel alone, God is always your constant safe place.

Today shall pass.

This too shall pass. Nothing stays the same, which is a sad reality during good times, yet a hope for those in trouble. Soon you will look back on today and be in a totally different place.

Pain is part of life.

Sometimes healing comes; other times pain elevates you to a life of constant faith over fact. You may think your life is more challenging than that of others, but don’t compare, yours may also be more miraculous. When pain flares up, draw near to God and get as close as you can. Life is not fair, but God is just and knows your pain.

Do the hard thing.

At times, it takes more faith to get out of a situation than to stay. Sometimes you have to walk away, let go, and let God. Doing the right thing and the God-thing takes tremendous faith, so don’t expect comfort. God is more interested in your future and destiny than your comfort right now.

Take a nap.

Some days it is the most spiritual thing to do. Come to rest. Don’t make decisions when you are tired, disappointed, or in a high emotional state. Take care of yourself, find help, bring order to your world as best you can, say “no” to things, and learn what you need in order to walk in peace.

I pray you are in a wonderful season of enjoying life and relationships! Savor every good thing life gives you and laugh out loud with those you love! The small things in life do turn out to be the big things, so I hope you dance at any sign of music!

As for the terrible truths in life, embrace your reality with great faith in God who loves you. He never leaves or forsakes you, no matter how hard your day gets. Thank God for that!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13 NIV

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Ps 116:1,2 NIV