Hang On and Move Forward

Do you ever feel buffeted on all sides by problems, responsibilities, and unexpected urgent demands on your time?

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity as fast-moving and turbulent as the twister that churned its way across our town. Multiple scenarios of this can’t happen until that does, and that can’t be addressed until this is resolved exist, crowding my mind and raining down in similar fashion to the water that poured into countless homes on T-day, February 6.

Following are some thoughts on maintaining forward motion when life circumstances hit hard:

Hang On

Sometimes life’s chaos is so overwhelming all you can do is hang on tightly and wait. Most of us don’t respond well to waiting, especially when normal patterns and routines are disrupted and it feels as if no one is as concerned as you are. But often, situations are complicated, involve multiple moving parts, multiple people, and resolution is dependent on a number of interrelated factors. In these situations, do what you can to provide the necessary insight and information and then accept that running in place and waiting are part of the process.

Be Watchful and Wise

In crisis situations, there are those who appear to have your best interests at heart, but really do not. Whether in everyday life, or following a natural disaster, there are always those who will attempt to take advantage of others.

Within hours after the tornado touched down, service providers appeared in droves. Some had no business cards or were here from other states. While reputable responders provided much-needed assistance, others were there to make a fast buck or scam those reeling from the devastation.

One homeowner agreed to a price for tree removal that involved a two-part process. One crew removed the top half of four or five trees and another crew was supposed to arrive the next day to finish the job. Unwisely, the homeowner paid the first crew for the entire job and the second crew never showed up.

Crises sometimes cause us to lose the wisdom and perspective we usually possess. Even when rapid action seems prudent, take time to fully weigh the impact of your decisions. Anyone who pushes  you for quick decisions, and makes is sounds disadvantageous  to wait, usually has ulterior motives.

Look Beyond Loss

As is the case with any natural disaster, so many people lost so much in recent weeks. When loss is great, looking beyond it is like trying to see over a mountain while remaining on the ground. It’s hard to gain perspective when the situation seems insurmountable, but there is life after loss. It may take a while to recognize blessings and accept a new normal, but it is possible to move forward following loss.

Trust God for Next Steps

When the tornado dropped giant trees on my aunt’s house, the front wall of her carport held firm. Even though it bowed, and the brick veneer came off in places, the wall didn’t give way to the unexpected weight that suddenly placed undue pressure on it.

Life is similar. While you may feel bent and broken by life circumstances, if your structure, your underlying core values, relationships, and faith have created a firm foundation, you will be able to withstand the pressure when burdens are heavy and circumstances are difficult. Your progress may be slow, but trust God to lead you, step by step, into the future.

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 NIV

©CandyArrington

Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving beyond difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House) and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

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