Surviving Unfriendly Waters

It happens suddenly without anticipation or it could have been planned. Change. You find yourself in an uncharted area or time of life, navigating waters that seem unfriendly and dangerous. Cold. You consider your journey. Perhaps you have moved to a new community, or switched jobs, churches, schools or states. Perhaps you have been in a painful divorce or other negative experience. You find yourself among people often, yet your closest friends and fellowship are far off. Difficult days these can be. So how can you maneuver these waters, safely and emerge on friendlier shores? Here are some tips to stay afloat when the raft you are on is a lonely one due to difficult, specific or seasonal circumstances in life.

1. Immerse yourself in Gods’ Word. If this seems too much, cling to a verse a day.
2. Take A Walk. Outside. Get outside in the fresh air. Sunny, rainy, windy, snowy weather is secondary to the fact that a few minutes outside puts you in instant connect with the Creator of it all.
3. Acknowledge God’s constant presence by having a continual conversation with Him. He knows what you are thinking anyway, but speaking it out loud will increase your confidence and trust that He is truly present.
4. Pray continuously. Include prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving and intercession. These are those bullet prayers that are part of the above conversation, yet unique and specific. Someone has asked for prayer while you are on Facebook or catching up on e-mail? Go ahead and pray immediately, giving thanks that we can approach His throne boldly and with full confidence that He is ready, able and willing to be actively involved with every aspect of our lives.
5. Stay connected somehow. God is faithful to provide what we need. Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer for yourself in difficult seasons. Sometimes Christians feel guilty and don’t want to admit that they are struggling. This is the enemy’s strategy for getting sheep away from the safety of the flock. Prayers from grace-filled, loving believers will protect you during seasons where God may have you alone or when you are enduring consequences, trials and temptations. We can rejoice and rest assured He will never leave or forsake us.

Last but not least remember God is faithful. He cannot fail. He is Love and His mercies are new every morning. He is for you and not against you. He is an ever present help in times of trouble, to those who call upon His name in faith. Not giant sized faith either. He will accept your tiny mustard seed faith and increase it in His time.

“Little flock, do not be afraid. Your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Dawn Paoletta is a writer who is finally coming out of the closet and following her dream to share her life lessons and insights with anyone who will listen. Being recently laid up with a muscular injury has temporarily curtailed her career in fitness allowing her the golden opportunity needed to reorder her priorities and shift her focus to blogging her greatest passions: Living out her faith as a modern day disciple of Jesus Christ and enjoying spending time with her husband, daughter and family pets. She is a natural coach and encourager who can’t help sharing what she’s learned along her journey with authenticity, grace and truth. Visit Dawn at her blogs, Beneath the Surface: Breath of Faith or Fitness for the Fainthearted.