Weathering the storms of life

[photograph: Superstition Mountains, Arizona]

Storms are a part of life. We all go through them. Some are big, some are small, some are devastatingly earth shattering, while others are just plain irritating.

As I've travelled through life I've noticed there are a few practical things that are helpful in navigating the storms we often face.

I hope they encourage you...

1) THE WORD OF GOD [THE BIBLE]

For me, this is the most important thing. It's where my hope, strength, trust and confidence lies. The Bible is jammed packed with promises from God for our individual lives. It's so easy to be overcome by our circumstances [especially when they are so devastating] but, the bible tells us that Jesus HAS OVERCOME, and we can stand on His very words and trust Him in every situation we face.

Surround yourself with God's Word. Listen to podcasts [theres so many great teachers and resources out there to encourage you]. Download all the 'bible apps' on your smartphone, iPad, iPod, laptop. Buy your Pastors CD teaching sets. Sign yourself up for free email devotionals [I love these and have about 5 different ones I read everyday!] Keep putting God's Word into your heart and soul. His word is your anchor and His strength will sustain you.

2) PRAISE

Turn up your favourite praise and worship CD and get your praise on! The enemy is defeated, and when we praise our magnificent God, he has to flee. Belt it out, sing at the top of your lungs, don't worry about the neighbours, you can always bake them banana cake later ;)

When you praise you are declaring that God is greater than the storm you are facing. When you hold onto Him, no storm can move you, because "GREATER is He that's in you, than he who is in the world". 

Find 'your song' and sing it every day. Keep singing. Keep dancing. Tell your soul to praise your God. Don't let anyone, or anything steal your joy. The joy of The Lord is your strength.

[photograph taken after the storm, Southsea beach, England]

3) PRAYING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

I have found that the prayers of faithful family and friends have literally carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life. It is so good to have strong men and women with great faith holding you in prayer. Sometimes, when the storm is hitting hard, it is difficult to find the words to pray. Knowing you have an army of prayer warriors lifting you up is a great encouragement and strength. It is vital to have people in your life who will carry you when you feel too weak to walk. If you don't have those people in your life, find them! Make some life long, faithful friends, you will need them!

[photograph after the storm Canoe Lake, Southsea, England]

4) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FAMILY

Spending time with family who know you, love you and believe in you, is so healthy for the spirit and the soul. It is important to surround yourself with people who you trust and are for you. It is such a blessing, for me, to be part of a very strong Christian family. However, some of us may not have christians in our natural families, but, the family of God is often stronger than our blood family. Let the ones who love you, love on you. Find strength in their care for you. Let people lavish love on you, allow them to hug you, cook for you, buy you gifts, pray with you, and just be with you.

Some of my most defining moments when I have been in the middle of the storm, is not only knowing that God is with me, but, also knowing, that my family are with me, heart and soul.

[photograph of spring crocuses, Southsea, England]

5) EAT

Food is good! I love food! I often dream about food, and my mouth is watering right now at just the very thought of food! Sometimes [particularly if you are female], you just need chocolate, and that's ok. Don't beat yourself up, if you want it, eat it! I'm not talking about stuffing your face so much that you need a hoist to get you from A to B. but sometimes, a bar of chocolate does wonders for the soul, [or curry, or crisps, or Chinese take away, or whatever you like to eat] especially if it is enjoyed with friends ;)

6) LAUGH

The Bible says that "a cheerful heart is good medicine". I don't know about you, but I love to laugh. It's actually one of my favourite things to do. I will laugh at anything and everything. I just find things funny, and usually when I'm not supposed too! I would get in trouble at school for always laughing when I shouldn't be. I even got dragged out of church and taken home by my parents, for laughing so hard that I was snorting, during a church service! I guess there is no surprise that my middle name is, Joy, after my mum, who is, I must add, my greatest inspiration [and partner in crime] on the laughter front! Haha.

But laughter, particularly with family and friends is so good for us. Research shows, that those who laugh most, live the longest. Laughing when the storm is hitting may seem like a challenge, may even seem inappropriate, but it is needed, and it is good. 

Sometimes we may just need to take our eyes off our situation, grab a friend, a bag of popcorn and put on a comedy movie. Oftentimes , deep belly laughing, you know, the kind that has you in stitches, tears streaming, and often a lot of snorting sounds [in my case anyway], is the best thing to bring a bit of freedom to an anxious soul. 

Spend time with a bunch of friends remembering funny stories, or sharing embarrassing moments [gosh, I've had a few!]

Let the laughter begin!

[photograph taken in Sedona, AZ, with my mum]

Don't forget that no matter what you are facing right now, God is with you. He is for you. If God is all you've got, God is all you need!