Loss of personal freedom.
Loss of jobs.
Loss of investments.
Loss of things we have planned and looked forward to.
Loss of friends due to illness.
Loss of respect for authority.
Loss of lives.
Loss of peace of mind.
It has all been so much to process.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We know this is true, but some days, it is still just too much to bear.
Whether your struggle is Covid-19, racial issues or things that are personal to you, life can be overwhelming.
How can we cope when we are feeling overwhelmed and out of control?
DRAW NEAR TO GOD.
Cry out to Him. He actually WANTS us to come to Him with what burdens us. Ask Him for peace and direction. It’s ok to ask “Why?”. God may not answer you clearly or in a way that you would like, but it’s ok to ask.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8A
STOP THE PITY PARTY.
Don’t sit and dwell on your losses. Sometimes, we need to let go of our vision of how things would be and just roll with it. Sometimes, Plan B or C is way better than our original plan anyway. Sometimes, what we truly need is rest and not a full calendar.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
FOCUS OUTWARD.
Helping others takes our focus off ourselves and what we are upset about. It brings us joy and lightens our burdens. Find someone to bless, to listen to, to serve.
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10
BE KIND.
Respect our differences. Whether someone thinks or looks differently than you do, show respect. There are a thousand ways to look at any given situation. You can’t understand someone else’s journey and how they got to where they are. Be respectful. It’s ok to agree to disagree.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35
FORGIVE OTHERS.
Unforgiveness and holding onto anger will eat you up. “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” So true! Not forgiving others perpetuates the problem and allows our differences to grow and grow. Let it go!
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13
Let’s move on from these losses.
Let’s determine to thrive in this season.
You are daughters of the King.
He doesn’t want you stuck in the mud and mire.
“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3
Mandy Hood
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:2-4
Mandy Hood is a board member and executive director of The Connection. She loves to facilitate women connecting with each other and helping them grow in their faith.
Mandy and her husband have been married for 40 years and have 2 adult children, 2 in-law children and 3 grandchildren.
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