5 Great Responses When You Are Looking For Answers
We have all been there. Lost our job. The marriage went kaput. Best friend(s) left us. What could go wrong, did!
Be careful not to react.
Instead, put structure into a response to the difficult and trying circumstances you face. The Psalmist, King David reminds us not to lose heart but to ‘be of good courage.’
I would have lost heart unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalms 27: 13,14
Over the years of loss, pain, and difficulties I have gained different perspectives on trudging through the muck of despair.
5 Great Responses When You Are Looking For Answers
- Refocus capturing a positive attitude by looking at the BIG picture.
- Realize what you still have, not what was lost.
- Recognize you cannot control the uncontrollable.
- Reduce unnecessary stresses by learning to say ‘no.’
- Regain and keep your sense of humor.
“You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make.
Forget your past.
Who are you now?
Who have you decided to become?
Make this decision consciously.
Make it carefully.
Make it powerfully.” Anthony Robbins
When in this challenging transition time it is good to consider your past HABITS, your previous ATTITUDE, and your past BEHAVIORS.
Here is a question for you.
Did any of the big three; habits, attitude and behaviors plummet you into the difficulty you are experiencing now?
I must make a confession, I don’t get a ‘high five’ on all 5 of these all the time. My wife had to pull the covers off me one morning when I didn’t want to face the day. She said; “Get up, the sun is up and we are going to make it!” Thank the good Lord for a great wife.
Let’s take a look at each one.
- When the company I worked at for 22 years closed, I was despondent at first but soon realized my life was not over. Grabbed ahold of my optimism and began my pursuit of other employment.
2. What I had was more significant than my loss. My wife, my children, and my faith carried me through. A HABIT of mine was to stash some cash in uncertain times, so we had a cushion to tide us over troubled waters.
3. No matter how much I grieved the job loss, I could not change it. I had no control over the company’s decision to close. No amount of my complaining would alter this severe loss. But what I did have power over was my ATTITUDE. Instead of a closed fist, I opened my hands to new possibilities.
4. I had many opportunities which I had to say the word, NO. It was a learning curve to go through rejecting ‘not so good opportunities’ for better options. Not good for me to be with negative people, so I opened myself up to two friends who had positive outlooks on life.
5. A little levity is good for the soul.
My BEHAVIOR in the job loss was happiness over discontentment. Cheerfulness will redeem your day. The Bible instructs us, cheerfulness is like a medicine. Instead of brokenness, bend your spirit to God’s will. He knows the way through your difficulty.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Psalm 17:22
The mantra for my posts is: ‘Choices Made, Make Us.’
You now have the opportunity for change to take place in your life. Whatever difficult circumstance you are experiencing you have a choice. Five options. Which of the five will you work on first? The five choices made ALL the difference in my situation. The five will break the chain of loss and despair, it is up to you to make the decision.
My prayer,
Lord, open eyes and hearts to see the wonderful things You have in store for each reader. Even in the hopeless situations, You have promised to never leave nor forsake us. Encourage this reader to put their trust in Your hands. In Jesus name. Amen
For more insight on my transition click here.
Believing for a better tomorrow,
Richard