Perhaps you’ve experienced one of these life-altering moments when:
- A medical diagnosis immediately shifted priorities for the whole family
- Corporate headquarters announced lay-offs; you were one of them
- You realized Mom could no longer live alone
- A spouse announced your marriage was no longer working for them, and they’d found someone else
The first instinct is to shut out the world, pull inward, and allow grief and self-pity full reign.
Yes, grieving is essential, but there comes a time to let go of what was and look to God for what’s next, because:
When we believe God, we move forward.
When we choose to despair, we stay in a pit.
Karol Ladd [1], Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 89.
But how do we activate our belief in God in order to combat despair?
Listed below are ten practices for such times. They also provide help when smaller upsets occur and in seasons of spiritual malaise.
Ten Strategies for Forward Momentum:
- Resist looking too far down the road and becoming discouraged by the what-ifs. Focus on just today–even just the next hour [1].
- Spend time reflecting on God’s Word and note the transformation of mind and spirit. From Psalm 119 alone we learn that scripture provides strength (v. 28), preservation of life (v. 50), comfort (v. 52), delight (v. 77), wisdom (v. 98), understanding (v. 104), guidance (v. 105), truth (v. 142), and peace (v. 165). Such entities are always beneficial, but especially in the midst of difficulty.
- Practice gratitude to God frequently throughout the day. Gratitude expands your awareness of his goodness in spite of challenge.
- Practice praise, for each of his attributes you see at work in your life: his attentiveness, faithfulness, wisdom, and more [2].
- Counter the urge to look backward and dwell on the negative. Look upward with worship in order to move forward [3].
- Affirm your confidence in God [4]. You are not alone! You have a trustworthy, all-powerful God working for you and in you. He WILL see you through and bring positive effect out of the situation.
- Pray about the next steps God would have you take. Rest assured that “where God guides, he also provides”—Unknown [5].
- Follow the Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8, and fill your mind with profitable input. Read spirit-lifting material, listen to Christian music and sing along, listen to encouraging podcasts.
- Allow others to minister hope and encouragement to you, and be an encourager yourself. That Bible-truth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”[6] applies to encouragement too.
- Kindness works in similar fashion. Show kindness to others and find the joy of your heart increased [7].
Feed your hope for tomorrow with scripture verses, song lyrics, and uplifting quotes. Copy them in a journal or notebook. You’ll have instant encouragement at your fingertips.
These quotes may offer a starting point:
The first step toward getting somewhere
is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.
–John Pierpont Morgan
* * *
It may support your heart to consider that
in these troubles God is performing that work
in which your soul would rejoice
–if you did see the design of it.
–John Flavel, Keeping the Heart
* * *
* * *
[The road may be rocky] “but with God’s help
the rocks can become stepping stones.”
–Barbara Johnson
Pack Up Your Gloomies in a Great Big Box, 83
* * *
Difficulties are sent to make us grow.
Move from complaining to proclaiming
what God is doing through the problem.
Remind yourself, for every Calvary,
there is an Easter.
–Barbara Johnson (source unknown)
* * *
Lord God, when adversity overwhelms us, we ask that you grant:
- Confidence in you, our wise and trustworthy Shepherd
- Strength and courage to take the next step
- Forward momentum, away from our fears and into the future you’ve lovingly prepared
We look forward to watching you bring miraculous good out of our trials.
In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN!
(Proverbs 14:16; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13;
Psalm 139:16; Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Which practices have provided forward momentum for you? Please share in the comment section below!
[1] Matthew 6:34
[2] Psalm 9:1-2
[3] Psalm 121:1-2
[4] 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
[5] Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 58:11
[6] Acts 20:35
[7] Proverbs 11:17a
Image credits: http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.flickr.com (Kenneth Garcia); http://www.canva.com (3).
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Focusing on today, kindness, and encouragement are a few of the great ways you’ve listed that provide forward momentum for me. You’ve cited fabulous quotes and scriptures to support your helpful message. Praise the Lord for the inspiration of His Holy Word. 🙂
Amen, Nancy. I find myself saying it often: I don’t know where I’d be without God and his Word!
Knowing God goes before us and that he knows what we need before we ask encourages me
Those scripture-truths would be worthy to include on the first page of an encouragement journal! Thank you for adding them to the conversation, Matt.
For every Calvary, there is an Easter . . . Dear Lord, let me hold onto that promise each and every day without fail! God is in control of all, Nancy, and when we can surrender in humility to His grace, we see and feel what has been needed all along. He is all that we could ever need or want. Blessings, and thanks for another wonderful reflection!
Thank you, Martha. Praise God for his inspiration and direction! That promise, “For every Calvary there is an Easter” offers wonderful assurance, doesn’t it? You brought to mind the old hymn, “Blessed Assurance” with your inclusion of “surrender in humility to His grace.” For that hymn Fanny Crosby wrote, “Perfect submission, all is at rest, I and my Savior are happy and blest.” Surrender/submission is indeed an important attitude to hold if we desire forward momentum. Thank you, Martha!
I’ve read this week’s blog at just the right time. I have a friend with whom a group of us have lunch once a month. On Wednesday at 11:30 am I decided that I may have the flu, having been exposed to it earlier that week. I phoned this girl (instead of texting…which is what she has told me she would prefer). My cell phone was in another room charging so I used my landline to phone her. I didn’t get but two words out before she started berating me. She was right in that she had previously told me three times to text, not call. So, I was wrong and said I was sorry. She continued to express her displeasure with me. Never in my life have I been spoken to like this before, not even by my parents when I was a child in trouble. As a born-again Christian I am held to a higher standard than those who are not. I ended the conversation with asking how she was. (She has cancer but has always been a bit toxic, having severed two other friendships that I know of.) My initial reaction was to not go to the next luncheon because I didn’t want to face her, not being sure whether she had told the others about the altercation. I was torn about what to do, but after reading your blog remarks “Affirm your confidence in God . You are not alone! You have a trustworthy, all-powerful God working for you and in you. He WILL see you through and bring positive effect out of the situation”; and “Counter the urge to look backward and dwell on the negative. Look upward with worship in order to move forward”, I decided to move forward and attend the next get-together and act as if nothing was wrong or had happened. I have previously shared the Lord with her so I need to be a testimony and reflect Christ in my behavior. Please pray for me because I am so sad, hurt, and discouraged that I had angered her so much.
I am so sorry you had to deal with such unnecessary ill treatment. Your plan of action sounds wise, Cheri. May God honor your willingness to forgive and forget by healing the rift between you. I also pray God uses your gracious response to her harshness and opens her heart to the love of Christ within you!
That is my prayer!
[…] Forward Momentum […]
Thank you, Tara!
I have practiced some of those some of the times in life when big life changes have happened. When our middle daughter was born the doctor said “uh oh”. We are still her caregivers 43 years later. I have found that the lifespan of a manager in manufacturing can be long or short, depending on whims and numbers. Same with a youth director ministry. Those 10 things are well said Nancy as I look back on my nine careers and thankfully 1 ongoing marriage and one Great God I can fully trust through life.
Thank you for sharing, Gary. You’ve certainly experienced more setbacks and unwelcome surprises than many of us. And yet, your faith is strong in “one Great God [you] can fully trust through life.” By God’s grace you and your wife have stood firm through life’s challenges, with courage, perseverance, and hope. Well done, faithful servants.
A wonderfully uplifting post to be blessed by today, Nancy. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Dora–I’m delighted you found uplift and blessing here. Praise God!
Wonderful thoughts. I’ll be coming back to this one to take notes!
I’m honored you consider this post note-worthy, Linda. Praise God for his inspiration and direction. I pray your notes will bring you blessing!
lots of hope and encouragement here today, Nancy. I find taking a deep breath and knowing God is with me. One day at a time helps me. God is good!
Thank you for adding “deep breaths” to the conversation, Jean. You’ve reminded me of what you’ve written about breath-prayers. They can certainly help recalibrate our hearts and spirits!
Very good post! I believe so strongly that gratitude makes such a difference in a difficult situation. We come to see that God’s love flows like a river when life is turbulent. He sends ‘helping hands to steady our course. His love is steadfast and He ‘holds us up’ when the storms come…and they come to us all. All of your points are true…when we focus on God in the storm, we know that we are never alone.
Thank you, Linda. I agree–gratitude contributes much to a positive emotional state, especially when we’re engulfed in a difficult situation. I’ve experienced that truth in my own life. For eight years I’ve kept a gratitude journal; the third volume is almost filled. The practice is not only uplifting, it’s fun!
Such truth and encouragement here! Thank you, Nancy!
You’re most welcome, my friend!
God is present no matter what we go through. I find that to be enough.
Amen, Sheila. And with his presence comes his encouragement, strength, compassion, comfort, and more! Indeed, he IS enough–MORE than enough!
Nancy, sometimes we need someone to hold our hand and whisper a next possible step to our overwhelmed brains and heavy hearts. Thank you for these encouraging messages.
A blessed Easter to you and yours. He has risen indeed, just like He said He would!
Yes, I’ve heard it said, “Sometimes we need Jesus with skin on!” Praise God for our brothers and sisters in Christ who offer encouragement, wisdom, help, and so much more. / A blessed Easter to you as well, dear Linda. I’m picturing you celebrating with a number of your clan!