Sitting with Our Battle: Keeping Faith Through Obstacles
Hey there, friends! I’d like to talk about something a little bit more personal today, how we can draw on faith to sit with our pain rather than run from it. I mean, you know, you just reach for a beer, a cigarette, or whatever you’re doing to get away from it all. What if we did something different? What if we just took our faith to heart and accepted the hard times?
The Power of Presence
Let’s start with being here. It is imperative that we embrace our feelings — yes, even our messy ones. When we open ourselves up to sadness, anxiety or frustration, we’re facilitating discovery and healing. And guess what? Faith can be our best friend along this path. It invites us to be present, not critical, in our presence.
Faith as Our Rock
This is the deal: faith is a hug in the midst of hard times. It comforts and guides us as we trudge through the storm. I’ve seen it firsthand!
A Little Story Time
Let me tell a quick anecdote. Two years ago, I was guiding a class of children at a summer camp. One of the campers had a track record – he was the only kid expelled last year! But I did not take it lightly. I was like, “Not for me!” We went through some rough patches that week, but at the end of the day, I was soooo proud of him — and he was! Years later, he wrote me a very touching letter. He thanked me for trusting him and told me he had just finished high school with an A and was going to college. Talk about a full-circle moment!
How to Avoid the Elephant in the Room.
Let’s be honest for a second. It may feel good to shut our problems away at the time, but that usually gets us into deeper trouble in the future. Whether it is drinking, smoking or simply running away, these habits are hard to get out of.
The Long Game
We should not run, we should meet our challenges head-on. When we do, we heal and develop. Remember that camper I mentioned? His story illustrates just how overcoming difficulties can yield phenomenal changes.
How to Sit With Your Worries Steps for Dealing with Your Worries
So, where do we come to terms with our difficulties? Here are some of my suggestions:
1. Prayer and Meditation
Make sure you spend some time in your faith every day. Prayer, meditation or even simply meditating: find what you can focus on and be at peace with.
2. Journaling
Just grab a pen and paper and start writing. Write about your feelings and how your faith gets you through tough days. It’s a good way to work through feelings!
3. Lean on Your Community
Don’t be afraid to get in touch! Be open about your issues to friends or your church. Sometimes, simply talking it through can be all that’s needed.
Finding Hope and Growth
We must suffer through what we face, but that is one of the greatest ways to evolve. When we live in our own shadows, we become more open to connections and wisdom.
A Little Reminder
Remember that camper from our previous posting? He showed me that small steps are important. Whether it’s a smile to an unfamiliar person or a kind comment to a friend, we can all make a difference.
So commit to a place of seated discomfort instead of running. Our faith can help us get through the roughest moments of life, heal us and reconnect with other people. Let’s be grateful for our experiences, no matter how rocky!
Please let me know what you think! How has faith got you through life? Leave your tales below and inspire each other along this path
