Comfort In Times of Discomfort

By: Nancy Abiera

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

We all have gone through so many challenges since March 2020 world-wide. We have been locked-in for many months and we are starting to get out of our comfort zones of isolation. The summer months seem to help greatly giving us hope and a sense of warmth as we transition to the “new normal” life. Allow me to share some

Suggested Plans of Action:

FLEET (Focus & Look-up to God; Expand, Expect, Time Management)

1. Focus on God by centering yourself in Him Not on the circumstances.

Spending time in silence, singing, listening to music, reading the Bible, reciting verses—all these help us focus and center our attention on God.

2. Look up, talk and listen to God by praying.

Fast and stop listening to the news or any Facebook bad news. Not all may understand us. When we look up, we can expect miraculous blessings from above. When we talk to God, we feel comforted and ease us to move more pro-actively in faith believing that He hears us. Unfortunately, many talk to themselves or others more than they talk to God. Thus, most often, we end up reacting in fear or confusion

3. Expand and Open yourself to new possibilities.

Be not close-minded. Open yourself up to God and see what He wants you to do. He can do more than we can imagine. Be creative as this expands to unlimited possibilities. Remember, we are made in His image and imagination is free and has no limits, no boundaries, no ifs and no buts.

4. Expect and Look for New Unexpected Answers

Sometimes, we are too FLAT (Factual, Logical, Analytical or Traditional). Miracles do not thrive or even survive on FLAT. However, they do thrive on FERTILE grounds of Faith, Expectations, Responsibility, Truth, Intuition, Love and Empowerment.

5. Time Management

Use time wisely. Most often, people waste their time, worrying, fearing and getting stressed out. Take time seriously and convert worry to worship; fear to faith and stress to serenity.

Reverse the normal ways you do and face head on anything and every Overwhelming Circumstances When circumstances seem to overwhelm you, consider employing any of these additional practical and quick yet simple strategies.

• Run to God and do not run from God.

• Take a deep breath and not just sigh.

• Reflect and see if you can figure out the root problem. Seek God’s help.

• Rewind past successful strategies you’ve previously used.

• Surround yourself with encouraging” Penthouse” people and not discouraging “Basement” people.

• Go somewhere serene like a park, lake, or just drive around and enjoy the sceneries.

• Do something different that you have never done before.

• Take a look at past photographs of great memories and rewind and replay the stories..

• Sing or listen to your favorite music.

• Walk barefoot on grass, sand on the beach and feel the warmth get to you.

• Splash your face with cold water.

My prayer for you is in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”, today and every day. Always choose ”On A Bright Side” moving further and farther “On A Brightest Side”.

I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet the Lord loves you the most. You are blessed, smile and be a blessing! Rev. Nancy H. Abiera