Do you ever feel like a clown trying to juggle all the “balls of life?” The blue ball is work, the red ball is marriage/relationships, the yellow ball is faith-based activities, the green one is keeping the house/yard in order, the polka dot one is the kids/grandkids. The pink one is friends, the purple one is personal care, and the gray one is what is left over…rest, health, education, vacation, reading, spiritual growth, hobbies, etc. Sound familiar???
The busyness of life can keep us trying to balance it all out while still trying to function each day. Some of us are better at it than others. Some of us just address things as they come up, and some of us organize and plan effectively, so there is a little less chaos.
What can throw us completely off is when there is a crisis such as a divorce, death of a loved one, loss of a job, trauma to our kids, or even the breakup of a church. The big black ball of crisis can completely knock the other balls of life out of our hands and we find ourselves frozen and overwhelmed.
What can we do? How do we get back on track? Help! Here are some ideas:
- STOP AND CRY OUT TO GOD! Believe that He knew this was going to happen and He will guide you through it, no matter what it is. (“Behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20) Ask Him to give you strength and guidance and that you will feel His presence in the midst of the chaos.
- DETERMINE WHAT IS IN YOUR CONTROL OR NOT – Are you responsible for the crisis and/or the outcome? There is a recent quote that says, “it’s not my circus and not my monkeys.”
- SEEK OUT HELP FROM THOSE YOU TRUST – Do you need a reference for a doctor, attorney, employment agency, or spiritual counselor? Everybody goes through crisis at times in life, and there are those who have experienced the crisis you are now in and could give you some ideas and resources.
- DON’T TRY TO BE THE HERO – “Feel what you feel.” Cry, scream, take a walk, pray nonstop, but don’t cover your emotions with alcohol or drugs or anything that could bury you in depression or anger. Find a trusted friend or family member that will let you vent, hug you, listen and pray with you. Sometimes we give to others and sometimes we need to receive for awhile. (“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26)
- FIGURE OUT THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO RISE OUT OF YOUR CRISIS – This may mean making that attorney or counselor appointment, making life changes through a health crisis, updating your resume or taking classes to improve your skills. Now, take those steps one at a time. You’ve got this!! (“You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:24)
- ACCEPT YOUR “NEW NORMAL” – Maybe the marriage is over, your loved one is gone, you take the next step in your career, or you learn to live with a disease and do what it takes to stay as healthy as possible. Start today.
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Prov. 3:25,26
Keep juggling the balls of life, but now realize that you can do that with your eyes looking upward at the One who loves you and will continue to guide you, if you care to notice Him. Have a good day and keep all those balls in the air with a smile and determination.