7 minute read
Change Your Story with Kirstin Leigh
Stand Strong Through the Storms
BY KIRSTIN LEIGH
“Storms” are a part of life. They are dark, loud, intrusive, and often ruin our plans. Some storms are unavoidable -- others are the direct result of our free will. Regardless of the reasons, storms are wet, messy, and muddy. But our biggest problem isn’t always the storms. Sometimes it’s how we respond to them.
7 steps to help you STAND STRONG THROUGH the STORMS
1. GIVE THANKS
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. (Psalm 92:1-2 ESV)
“Giving thanks” means we have to stop talking about how bad things are, how much we’ve messed up, how this “always happens,” and why things are never going to work. We need to stop singing songs that make us cry and wish for days gone by. We must stop repeating “no hope” broadcasts… you get the point.
The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.
2. VISUALIZE
What area of your life are you struggling with? If your answer is: my finances, my relationships, my weight, my job… I get it. I remember moaning to my best friend in college about how everything was wrong. My very practical, no-nonsense friend said, “We can’t solve every problem today, but if you can just choose one…”
Everything gets us dizzy. Everything overwhelms us. We give up before we begin.
If you could take care of one problem today, just one aspect of the storm, what would it be? Visualize how your life would look without this one storm cloud.
Then ask yourself what steps you can take to make this happen and determine to take those steps.
3. FIND A MENTOR
It is not always possible to have an actual mentor, but you can still reap the benefits of having one. It just takes a little more effort.
When I was little, my mom got the ‘Readers Digest.’ I would go through the quotable quotes and search for wisdom. One of my favorite ones was by Eleanor Roosevelt. “We gain strength, courage and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. We must do that which we think we cannot.”
My mom got tired of me circling passages with magic markers, so she bought me a notebook “for all my wisdom.” Throughout the years, I’ve written down lyrics to songs, words from strangers, bits and pieces of sermons, and visions and dreams. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve pulled out that book and found guidance, insight, and inspiration.
Having people to call on, even if they are in a notebook, will help you stand strong against the raging winds.
4. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT
It’s true that until we look in the mirror and get honest with ourselves about what needs changing, nothing will change. But only focusing on the bad stuff will leave us depressed and distraught.
What is working in your life? Focus on that.
Let yourself feel how very special you are. Always remember that you are a child of God. You are loved and redeemed. God choose YOU.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)
5. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO CHANGE…
…but you can’t change anyone else. Read that again. I can choose to change, but I can’t change anyone else.
God grows and refines us through the storms of life, but that growth must happen between you and God. It doesn’t matter if you feel your spouse, child, boss, or best friend needs an overhaul. You simply can’t make that happen for someone else. But you are responsible for your own actions. And we all need refining, no matter how beautiful, smart, rich, or successful we are. Not understanding this, or at least not accepting this, leads us down a very lonely road. If you only see adjustments that others need to make, then it’s time to ask God to show you the necessary adjustments He wants you to make.
Put your time and energy into making the changes you need to make for you. Because you can choose to change! Every storm is not of our own making, but listening to how God wants to refine you through them will yield great blessings.
6. BREATHE
It all depends on the tone, the moment, and the motivation, but there have been times when someone has told me to “relax” or “just breathe,” that… let’s just say that it didn’t help.
Meanwhile, I’ve realized that when I get really upset, I don’t breathe (at least not correctly). I unconsciously hold my breath, which is probably why my face gets splotchy, my chest breaks out in red dots, and I get extremely hot. Now that I know this, I remind myself to breathe.
What about you? Could you benefit from just taking a breath? The rain may still be coming down around you, but breathing can put you in a better stance to walk through it.
7. REMEMBER… YOU HAVE AN INVITATION
You have an all-access pass to God’s amazing love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. It’s available 24/7. All you need to do is RSVP. The door is open, and God is your best protection to weather and grow through any storm.
I don’t know what storms you are facing. But I know the God who wants to calm them and walk with you through them. His heart’s desire is to “work all things together for your good.” (See Romans 8:28) He wants to use every storm to draw us closer to Him.
Below is a prayer I wrote. Would you like to say it with me? Or perhaps write one of your own?
After running away from her dreams and battling addictions for over a decade, Kirstin Leigh is now a best-selling author, speaker, actress, and the founder of ‘The Change Your Story Workshop.’ She is passionate about empowering others to break free from strongholds and discover the masterpiece that lives within. To find out more about Kirstin or to purchase her books, you can visit: www.Kirstinleigh.com For information or to enroll in The Change Your Story Workshop: www.thechangeyourstoryworkshop.com
