Finding R.E.S.T While Learning to Embrace Your Imperfect Storyনমুনা

E-Engage your barriers.

I did not sign up to be a single parent in the middle of a pandemic. This is MY story.

Now you fill in the blank for your situation: I did not sign up to _________________ in the middle of a pandemic.

Now breathe. You finally got that out.

None of us were planning on any of the challenges we faced from March 2020 to the present. Nor did we anticipate such lasting repercussions as job loss, economic instability, or disruptions to the food supply chain, that we are still dealing with much longer than we expected. It seemed that life just happened to us. Problems popped up. Health issues complied. All the barriers to living a healthy life have begun to come into question.

Now that we’ve released that tension, we can all agree that our recent barriers have been more than stressful. Does it serve us to stay there? Do we simply avoid the barriers and all future problems? Or do we act like they don’t exist?

Rather than stuff and hide from our barriers as if we are exempt from life struggles, Jesus calls us to engage our barriers head-on, knowing His deliverance is near (Psalm 50:15). Some mountains in life are meant to be climbed, not avoided out of fear; but tackled and overcome by the power of Jesus.

Think about the specific things you are going through now. What can you learn from this experience? How can this situation strengthen your character? Are you willing to activate your faith muscle as you navigate this tough time? Is it possible that God is working even this together for your good?

It’s all about perspective. You can allow disruptions or barriers in your perfect story to cause you to give up, or you can turn the page and write a new story. I would have never guessed that leaning into the challenges of single parenting would strengthen me to birth a book that had been on my heart for years, but it did. Without feeling the pressure of doing everything by myself, I would have never given up on my futile efforts in exchange for complete surrender to God. What can your barriers, when engaged and not avoided, do for you?

Engage your barriers, don't run from them. We all have challenges and barriers that impact our ability to walk out the picture-perfect vision of our life story. Remember, these areas are meant to grow you. Use them. Don't run from them, pretend they’re not there, or dismiss them. They will make you better.