No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37, NIV)
It’s those who can bend in the hurricane-force winds of change who will continue to find peace and joy no matter what life sends. This ability is very different from feverishly chasing fads and trends. It’s the realization that it’s time to change direction when the circumstances of life dictate.
Military families learn this lesson early. We learn to weather many storms, from change of duty stations to saying goodbye before deployment. Here are some ways I’ve learned to cultivate this approach to inevitable upheavals:
1) Write it down and get it out
So often life can seem difficult and unfair. But when I keep my frustration bottled in I feel worse. So I keep a journal and process my struggles on paper. This serves two purposes. First, I get it out of my system. Second, I’m able to come back to what I’ve written and see how God has given me strength to make it through.
2) Focus on areas where you have control
There are certain things in life that we simply cannot change. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve learned not to worry about areas I cannot control, but to focus on the things I can.
3) Ask God for perspective
No life is perfect. But every aspect of life has something worth celebrating. By asking God to reveal those hidden jewels, I can get through the difficult times.
