When it rains, it pours…
“When it rains, it pours” A common saying that means one misfortune is sure to bring many others. One day, your hair doesn’t turn out the way you imagined, making you late for work. The next day, your check engine light flashes after you spent a small fortune on an oil change. Before you know it, you’ve started to collect life’s disappointments, convinced that life is completely unfair.
I’ve been there, and I’m currently going through it. One setback after another, things have impacted my home and wedding plans. Everything I thought I had control over has started to unwind. All I’ve wanted to do is stay in bed and wait for the storm to pass.
The truth is, life will leave you feeling raw. There is no shortage of inconveniences that put a damper on the hope and joy we are called to have. Jesus himself warned us in John 16:33 that we would face troubles in this life.
Despite this warning, we often fall into self-pity. On the surface she’s not so bad, she might offer snacks and blankets to comfort us. However, she quickly starts to resemble discouragement or even bitterness. And that’s why self-pity is so dangerous.
The danger of self-pity is that it’s the perfect place for the enemy to separate us from God’s goodness. Each brick of disappointment can build a wall, blocking us from the comforting presence of our Father, who desires to be our refuge when life is tough. To resist this temptation, we must actively pursue joy, peace and hope in the Spirit, even in the face of difficulty.
Here are some ways we can do that:
Acknowledge your feelings:
Don’t suppress your emotions. Our responsibilities are not going anywhere so it’s okay to take a moment to process. Talk to the Lord, journal, or seek wisdom from a trusted source. Allow yourself to feel your feelings without letting them overwhelm you.
2. Rehearse the truth:
Once you’ve processed your feelings, you don’t want to leave your heart open to just anything. Fill your mind with the unchanging truth of God’s Word. It’s a powerful tool for healing, comfort, and protection against the enemy’s manipulation.
3. Give yourself grace:
This is the first time you’ve lived this life. Take the Lord’s hand as you walk through life’s disappointments. Rest in Him and understand that you don’t have to lean on your own understanding.
If life is knocking you down, I pray the Lord brings you peace. I pray that you take a moment to be still and center yourself on His truth. Know that the Lord is with you and will never forsake you.
XOXO