Hi! I know it’s been awhile, but in light of everyone’s new normal I wanted to offer some encouragement today 🙂
With all of the cancelled events, lost plans, and the many friends & family members sorting through upcoming weddings, trips, moves, and graduations, I’ve quickly discovered that we’re all hurting. If I’m honest, I’ve felt pretty miserable these past several days. The grief has been real, I was angry with God, and this all stinks. Can anyone else relate?
Late Tuesday night, God brought to mind David’s response to the death of his child (2 Samuel 12). David had been mourning, praying, and fasting so seriously that his staff was afraid to tell him the child died… but once he figured it out, he dusted himself off, dried his tears, gave God praise, and moved on.
In a similar way, I felt like the Holy Spirit was nudging me to “dust off and move on.” Deep down I was tired of hurting and grieving, and I felt like I was sucking other people down with me. I firmly believe that it’s okay to feel feelings and it’s okay to hurt and even to feel anger, as long as we are still trusting that God is somehow still good & still God even when life stinks and our hopes fall apart.
Because here’s the game-changer: A wise friend told me Monday that “it’s okay to not be okay, as long as your ‘not okay’ is at Jesus’ feet.”
I dusted off and moved on, and I went to bed that night with a lightness that I haven’t felt since before Spring Break. Wednesday was radically different. My circumstances haven’t changed and I still miss hugging people, but a new mindset works wonders.
So for anyone who’s feeling discouraged or heartbroken, or if you know someone who’s been deeply affected by all the cancellations and uncertainty, here’s three things you can do:
1. Accept. Allow them (or you) to feel and process alllll the emotions. Emotions aren’t evil. Don’t squash ‘em.
2. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower them (or you) to “dust off and move on.” Maybe it takes days. Or weeks. Who cares! Processing comes in waves, so ride it out. If you’re crying again next week it doesn’t mean you’re a failure at processing emotions. I’ll prolly cry again in a few days. Call me up and we can cry together.
3. Encourage. Do a spontaneous FaceTime even when you’re rocking quarantine clothes or self-isolation sweats. Log on to virtual classroom or conference room ten minutes early to chat with your peers. Venmo coffee to a friend. Mail some snail mail.
Like my friend told me — it’s okay to not be okay, as long as your “not okay” is at Jesus’ feet.
We can all be “not okay” together. Here’s to helping those you love dust off & move on. There’s a lot of life to be lived in the next few weeks.
0 comments so far.