In times when everything is going well and as planned, the picture is well painted and it's quite easy to keep moving forward; but what do we do when life is clouded with challenges and unexpected happenings? This blog post is going to help answer this question & encourage someone who may be feeling as to give up. Even when it's tough there is hope!
I recall when I was looking for a job after my Masters, I was going through a very low time because it felt like the more I put in efforts to search, apply & network with others, the more I struggled to get a positive response. I questioned everything about myself and felt very low but I am happy I had good encouragement which helped me surmount this phase and eventually got a job. Your challenge may not necessarily be a job it could be a difficulty, a delay, a diagnosis, a struggle amongst others. Whatever it is, I hope this piece would be a blessing to you.
When we traverse challenges, it is not just about the challenge but all the baggage it brings along. Most challenges bring along fear, self doubt, low self esteem, pain, sorrow and lot of sad emotions. It's a constant battle to overcome these and I will like to share few tips on how we can overcome by taking it one step at a time.
First, we need to be able to build our mindset to know that challenges are part of life and that there is a way out. There's a passage from the Bible which encourages me in difficult times; Psalm 34: 19 (NIV) which says; 'The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all'. So we need to be encouraged and know that even if we are going through something now, we will come through.
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all Psalm 34:19 NIV
When going through a storm, it is very easy to seek solace and isolate. That may be good for short periods of time but don't let it become the norm, because negative feelings and sadness thrive in aloness; so seek support and community. And this has nothing to do with a large number, it has more to do with having people you can confide in or can relate with. This could be a support group which will be people who come together to help one another, could be friend(s) who are a shoulder to lean on and can be vulnerable to, could equally be seeking help from special services who can help with your specific issue. I like a quote which says 'it is ok to not be ok' so look for those you can share that with & who can be of help.
We need to fight our battles by speaking right and confessing the right words to ourselves. Imagine that the situation is an enemy speaking what you do not want and are struggling with, do you stay quiet while it keeps speaking? Well, No! You need to speak back and declare what you want to see continually. You can set specific times to do so or you can choose to always speak right as a practice. Just make it a habit to speak kind words to yourself even if everything else isn't. Words like; It is well, things will work out, this is for a season and a reason etc.
Your story today is an encouragement to someone tomorrow & sometimes even today. Though the going through is tough, someone will read or hear your story and be encouraged to not give up. So push through for the beneficiaries of your story.
Also, remember you are growing through this. Like a seed thrown into the ground takes a hard process to break through the ground and come forth as a plant, know that your challenge is shedding stuff out of you to allow you to grow into a beautiful plant, and recall this process has different timing for different plants and trees so trust your own process to end beautifully.
You also do not have to forget seeking professional help if it's available to you. If there are people specialized in the domain you are dealing with they might be able to help; so seek their help. This can be by physical consultations, reading the books they have written and also by listening to their content online.
This challenge is for a season & for a reason
Finally, paint a picture (image) in your mind of your victory and focus on it. In the Bible God told Abraham that as far as you can see so would i give unto you, so it is so important to create mental pictures of what we want to see or be in life. It helps us to think right and focus our energy and time in the right direction.
If you have reached this point, thank you. I hope this helps you. Remember, giving up is not the option, challenges are part of human life for us to learn, grow and prevail in life. So, remember to build your mindset aright, associate with others, speak life to your situation, have a mental picture of your victory & know that this challenge is for a season & a reason.
Share this with someone if you think they might need this now.
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