Finding Your Peace Amidst Life's 💩 Storms
Sometimes life feels like a crazy rollercoaster, throwing us through unexpected twists, turns, and dips. It can be disorienting and discouraging, leaving us questioning God and wondering if there's any rhyme or reason to it all. Recently, I listened to a captivating sermon by renowned pastor Tony Evans. He shed light on this very topic, in his usual engaging way with several interesting stories and excellent advice.
God's Message in the Midst of Chaos
Remember those times when your grandma would freak out during a thunderstorm and insist on turning off the TV? As annoying as that might be (especially if it happened in the middle of your favorite show!), Evans said it’s just like God trying to get our attention during life's storms. He is not trying to sabotage your Netflix marathon; He’s trying to get your attention! It’s like He’s saying, "Hey! I want you to stop what you are doing and listen to me.”
Why Does God Shake Things Up?
And why does God allow us to experience challenges, you may ask? Well, it might just be to steer you towards bigger and better things! Kind of like how even the thought of turbulence on a plane can freak us out - - Your stomach flips, your palms get sweaty, and you start questioning all your life choices but if we can still move forward with our journey, it ends up being worth it to get to that final destination. Also, remembering that the pilot is none other than God (your Father), you can trust He sees the full picture and knows when it's time to accelerate, slow down, or fly you out of your comfort zone.
Tools for Calming the Storm Within
So, how do you stay calm when life throws you a curveball that can knock you out of the batter box? Here are some handy dandy tips that can help you keep connecting with God:
Make Gratitude Your Attitude: When things get tough, take a deep breath, and rather than focusing on problems, remember your blessings, how God has worked in your life in the past, is working on your life now, and will be working on your life in the future.
The Gratitude Jar of Joy: Jot down things you're grateful for on scraps of paper and put them in a jar (or just write them down in a notebook). Regularly revisit what you wrote for a mood boost!
Gratitude Challenge: Need some inspiration? Pick a weekly theme, like "Things with Fur" (puppies!) or "People Who Make Me Laugh" (that weird uncle who always tells embarrassing stories?). Find something new to be thankful for each day related to that theme.
Visual Reminders: Create visuals of your goals or positive affirmations. It could be sticky notes on your mirror or screensavers on your devices – something to keep you motivated, encouraged, and remind you who you are in the eyes of God.
Tuning in God's Communication Channels: Life gets busy, and sometimes connecting with God feels like just another task on your to-do list rather than something to look forward to! Here are some suggestions to help develop your relationship with God.
The Bible: Choose Your Adventure! Whether you prefer the classic text, a version with coloring pages (adult coloring is totally a thing!), or even a graphic novel Bible – find what keeps you engaged.
YouVersion: This free app and website is like a buffet for the soul! It offers multiple Bible translations, devotional tools, audio recordings, and videos - all at your fingertips.
The Watermark Gospel: Check out their videos and commentaries that explain complex biblical concepts in a way that won’t make you feel like you need a secret decoder ring.
Faith-Based Podcasts/Videos: Explore a world of podcasts and videos like "The Bible for Normal People" or on Tony Evans’ website – perfect to listen to on commutes or when getting chores done.
Challenges as Opportunities for Growth: Life’s disruptions can be frustrating to say the least but embracing the perspective that they are opportunities for growth can help you deepen your connection to God’s purpose and help you become the person He is leading you to be (think superhero training but without the cheesy outfits). Here are some tools you can keep in your superhero utility belt and use when needed:
Mindfulness Moments: Take a few minutes each day for mindfulness practices. It could be a quick prayer (which is just talking to God), deep breathing exercises, or cranking up some encouraging tunes (bonus points for singing along!).
Goal Setting Made Easy: Feeling overwhelmed by big goals? Break them down into bite-sized chunks! Celebrate your small victories along the way. There are even apps like Finch (the free version is awesome!) to help you stay on track.
Connect with Others: Sharing your feelings with others (including those who have faced similar challenges) can provide valuable support and encouragement. In addition to reaching out to friends and family, asking your local faith community or searching online for support group recommendations, can be a great place to start.
Taking Your Learning to the Next Level
Now that you're armed with some practical tools (and hopefully feeling a little less like a hamster running amok on one of those wheels), let's explore a fun way to solidify your learning!
Introducing the "Flush 'n Find" word search puzzle which features keywords related to concepts presented in this post. As you work through the puzzle, reflect on how these words apply to your own journey and the importance of seeing challenges as opportunities for growth. Take your time, have fun, let the words guide you deeper into the message, and watch how they bring God's power to life in new ways
Once you've conquered the "Flush 'n Find" word search puzzle, share in the comments below the words you found most impactful and how they resonate with your personal experiences. Maybe someone will even confess their love for pineapple on pizza (just kidding.. unless?). 😁
