It’s been a rough few days. Keeping the faith can be difficult during times like these. The excitement I felt from taking my first trip to Chicago, was quickly overshadowed only one day after my return when my Husband’s car broke down on his way to work. Not even an easy breakdown… we’re talking completely blow head gasket.
From there, it seemed as if a whirlwind of obstacles began to emerge from no where, attacking us from every angle. The elevated stress took it’s toll on our spirits and my Husband and I were both agitated, impatient, and at each other’s throats about the smallest of things. We tried to spend some family time together on Saturday while he worked on his car in the garage. The girls played in the driveway, and I brought my computer down to knock out a bit of work.
Then….
I dropped my laptop on the garage floor, causing my screen to crack. Of course this isn’t covered under my warrant, so I’m looking at around $550 to fix it according to the store I purchased it from (I’ll be calling around for alternate price quotes, of course). Needless to say, I found that a bit frustrating.
We soaked it up, and held our shoulders back determined to not let the spiral of events ruin our entire weekend. Saturday night we enjoyed family night together, and Sunday we got up and went to church. We’ve been going to a new church the last couple of weeks, and we like it a lot. So we got dressed and set off…
After a few group selfies of course.
Turns out yesterday’s message was shared specifically for us. It was everything we needed to here, in order to keep our heads held high during these tough (and tight) times. It spoke about having breathing room.
In your finances.
In your schedule.
In your life.
Going and going without stopping, or stretching your finances to the point of stress is something we try to avoid… but sometimes seems inevitable. The message we heard really put things into perspective, and reminded us of the things we should be doing to avoid that added and unnecessary stress that distracts us from our goals and from God’s plan for us. So we took a few moments to regroup and breath.
Today’s starting out pretty good. I made it to the boxing gym, and got in an awesome workout… and a chance to take out some of my frustrations on the bag. I grabbed some Starbucks on the way home for Hubby and I, and got everyone off to their respective places pretty smoothly. Baby is currently playing quietly in her play pen in my office while I type, so it looks like I’ll be able to knock out a lot of today’s work this morning.We’re still dealing with a tough situation, in which we have a lot of decisions to make.
We still have to figure out the car situation.
Things aren’t perfect.
They aren’t horrible either.
We’ve got plenty of reasons not to lose our smiles.
We’re still keeping the faith!
What’s your trick to keeping the faith during hard times? 
In search of more Monday motivation? Check out some amazing articles from a few of my peers by clicking the link below!
Very good post. I’m always inspired by your words of wisdom. I’ve always been a person that sees the class half full. So inspire of a difficult situation I always remind myself it’s someone out there going through a hell of a lot worse. And I remember wise words from my mother. “God picks his toughest warriors to fight the toughest battles.” Your battle are there sometimes to help someone else.
So true Jamia!! You mom was a very wise woman. Thanks for sharing that, and for reading. I appreciate you!
I just look at my babies and see that they are healthy and know they are loved, so that is what helps me keep it all together.
Apparently my stress outlet is exercise. I had a talk with my doctor last week and rather than medicating me for super stressful situations, he recommended more running. I’m definitely taking him up on the advice.
Prayer is one big help during times like that. It’s an immediate relief to know the burden is shared.
It can be hard for me to keep my faith during hard times. It always helps me to talk to other people with strong faith.
((Hugs!)) This is a great reminder. I turn to music, it always makes me happy! And try to get in hugs and cuddles with the kids (and husband!) but also make sure I get a little bit of “me time” to collect myself, too.
Realizing how much worse things could be helps me keep things in perspective. Just keep going!
I keep the faith when I look into my children’s eyes! I feel calm when I am around them!
My best friends aunt gave me great advice when I complained about always freaking out and loosing patients. When I feel I’m going to crack, lock myself in the bathroom, turn the shower on to block out the noise and read some scriptures. It brings me back to peace and I can rethink everything.
I always try to remember that I could have it worse. I’m not starving. I’m not a refugee. I’m a frustrated woman who lives in relative comfort.
We were just talking about this in Sunday School. It is so hard to trust God when things are difficult, but when you consider the alternative. We have to hold on to His hope and know that it is meant for our good
This is a hard one, especially for me because I’m constantly hit with something every day. It is almost as if someone lifted up this barrier that protected me in my late teen years and has been left off throughout the years little by little and now there is no shield. I always think to myself, tomorrow will come, this must end. I try to find the good and think “there has to be a lesson here.” Keep the positive thoughts or it’ll get you down and you’ll stay down for a while. Keep upright and it is harder to knock ya over.
Really great post, It can really be tough some days. Hope today is a better day for you!
you are so right, in keeping your chin up. Whenever something big is weighing me down, I always take a look around me and count my blessings. It’s a simple act that makes a huge difference.
Great post! It can be so hard to keep our chin up when things are going wrong in every direction.
In my house it seems like when one thing goes wrong everything goes wrong. I just try to take things one day at a time.
I try not to do it alone! Faith definitely comes with help!
I try to remember that I’m frustrated, not destitute. I’ve got a great life and a great family, and whatever is bothering me, it will pass.
In times of struggle I am working through being grateful even still. Sometimes, I remind myself that what I deem as a struggle or obstacle is probably actually protecting me from something (more than likely a bad decision I plan on making) and God takes his time to slow me down. Lastly I think iof my hubby, as my hard times are OUR hard times, and I thnak god for him cause there is no one else I would want to go through these things with.
Here’s a to a better remainder of the week!
Thanks for linking up with me this week. Hope to see you again next week!
Be blessed!
Each day is a gift – some days are harder than others – some days have been extremely sad – each day remains a gift. I have never had a day that something positive did not happen. Some days the positive may be very small and others very large – but always a positive comes through. I also feel that everything happens for a reason – God knows why – I will find out when it is time.
Oh no on the head gasket. That’s a biggie. But you’re right, it will all work out, and end up being for good somehow. I have faith like that too. Hugs just the same, and wishing you well (and lots of peace).
I always remind myself it could be worse! We have our health, our son is doing great in school and we have food on the table and a roof over our heads! That’s how I get past sweating all the small stuff! Gotta learn to be grateful!
This post is right on time for me as I am going through some stressful times. I just remember all that God has done for me and all of the blessings he has given me and others and remember that he loves me the same as those times and is always there.
I think everyone has weeks like that. It’s been trying here as well with unexpected deaths, my family losing everything in a fire, cancer, surgeries gone wrong and more. It seems I am being tested. But I know faith will bring me and my family through.
Oh no about your laptop!!! It’s hard to keep your headup during rough times, we have them too. I just try to keep trucking along and know that things will get better
What a great post! Sometimes it’s easy to see the negatives but I really try to see all the blessings in my life every day. I’ve been working on not worrying about things, too. It’s a hard habit to break, but I listened to a sermon recently about how worrying is telling God that you don’t trust him… because if I had faith, I’d trust that God would take care of it and there would be no need to worry. It really hit home for me. 🙂
Thanks Donna! That is so true. I can totally relate to that sermon. Thanks sooo much for sharing!
Thanks Amanda! They always do 🙂
So sorry to hear about your loss and the struggles you are facing. Praying for you.
I’m soo glad I could provide encouragement during a tough time for you. Praying for your continued strength.
Amen Amber! So true.
Thanks Rosey! You’re right, it sure will. These are the character building times.
That such a good point. Having a wonderful Husband is such a blessing… I thank God for that each day. Thanks so much for taking the time to drop me a line 🙂
Good point Krystal. I love your perspective.
Amen!
Here too! I think the negative energy just builds and spirals outta control. The key seems to be making the positive energy even stronger! 🙂
Thanks Lara! That’s soo true.
Amen!
Thanks Jeanine! Things are going much better.
Thanks soo much Elizabeth. I love your encouraging words.
That’s soo true Veronica! Thanks for sharing.
That’s true Dawn. My problems really are all first world problems. So many would love to have the comforts we take for granted.
I’m going to try this. Thanks!
Love this. Thanks for sharing Kathy!
Thanks Emily! Thanks for sharing.