If you're anything like me, you hate when surprises are thrown at you.
It's worse when it comes at you all at once and threatens to tear your plans apart. Everything you thought was going to happen doesn't happen. Your life feels like it's crumbling around you and you're not all sure it's possible that it can be picked up.
When this happens, it feels like we're flailing and grasping onto anything that we can in order to stop before we hit rock bottom.
But if we're not careful, we start grasping at straws. How does that help? It doesn't plain and simple.
Chaos cannot be tamed by chaos.
Before we start grasping for anything in our reach, let's take these 3 simple and critical steps.
1. Take a step back.
Whatever it is that's causing the chaos in your life, take a step back from it.
Your job? Take a vacation. However long you need, I bet you have some sick days and vacation stored up. Mental health days are real and necessary.
Your home? I'm not saying take a full-blown vacation from your family. It's probably the worst thing you can do, but you can take a day to sit back and find your peace of mind.
Your entire life? I'll admit. Sometimes, it feels like everything in your life is falling apart. Nothing is going right and you feel like you're failing. Take a mini road trip. Go read a book. Escape!
Do anything you can to take a break. Nothing is too urgent that you can't take five minutes to yourself.
2. Breathe
It sounds like step one, but this is an additional reminder to breathe.
Life is frustrating. It's terrifying. It's unpredictable.
Life is messy.
Don't hold your breath waiting for everything to resolve the way you want it too.
Don't just take a step back. Breathe and take your mind off of it. Do yoga classes to exercise your mind and body. Take up painting even if you're bad at it. Photography, hiking, writing, or any hobby that allows you to unplug and escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Breathe and realize not everything is in your control.
3. Pray
Yeah, I said it!
In the midst of your flailing and the chaos, have you forgotten the one person who has the authority to calm the storms (Matthew 4:34-41)?
Maybe you haven't and you've prayed every day for the situation to change, disappear, or resolve.
In this case, I urge you to change your prayer. Instead, pray for the peace to withstand the chaos. Pray for the peace that allows you to take a step back and breathe.
Know this: rock bottom isn't a destination. It's just part of the journey.
While you may be approaching it full speed ahead, you're not alone and it isn't the end for you.
