It took place about a week ago after I was rocked to my core over a new season my family and I were entering into. Rest assured , it was a very good change, a blessing in disguise, but one I did not see coming. It caught me off guard, and left me fearful and anxious. My emotions were raw, I felt completely exposed and overwhelmed. 

Have you ever felt cornered? Exposed? Vulnerable? Fearful? Anxious? Hopeless? Defeated?

Change will do that to the best of us-expose our deepest fears, worries and concerns. I was a total emotional wreck. In that state of mind, I began to focus on the things I felt I didn’t do right to prepare for such a change in our family. I felt I didn’t adequately prepare our children and that thought brought me even more anxiety.

I needed to get it together and my heart to heart with my sister brought me great insight and encouragement.

The game of football took me sometime to understand and enjoy, but after the conversation I had with my little Sister, I will never look at the game of football the same. The lesson I learned is powerful and profound, and has changed my perspective tremendously.

My sister began to explain to me, the beautiful game of football. This is what she said “Every play is celebrated. The players give their all and complete focus to every single yard. They do not wait for the touchdown to celebrate and because of this they have great momentum, excitement and drive to run the race well,” or basically, continue down the field with great excitement and momentum even before the score. Wow!! What great insight?

Celebrate the small wins.

Celebrate your small growths.

Celebrate every moment forward no matter how small or insignificant you might think the “play” or move is.

Focus on growth 

Focus on the wins

Focus on the positive things that are happening in your life.

You will need the momentum of your small wins to tackle your giants and to help you get over feeling defeated.

Give attention to the misses, mistakes, and  mishaps only long enough to recognize the lesson to be learned, but don’t dwell on it too long – it can crush your spirit and leave you feeling discouraged and defeated.

My perspective shifted and I  knew exactly what I needed to do. I ran to the only place I knew I could be completely vulnerable and safe. My Father’s arms. I had no other choice but to trust Him. Trust must be present in order for fear to leave. So I surrendered it all to him and trust Him with the outcome of it all. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary in order to walk in peace. 

This faith thing is not one that I have by no means mastered. It’s this constant, ongoing surrender of my will and fears, daily. It’s not easy or comfortable. In fact, it’s a little scary and frustrating sometimes, but God has proven over and over again to me that He is trustworthy and faithful. Therefore, I yield and I will keep yielding until my fears are quieted and I am walking in what I have been praying and believing God for.

So, realizing I was anxious and overwhelmed, I looked to God’s word. I mediated in Psalm and found much-needed comfort.

When I am reminded that the Lord is my refuge, my fortress, my strong tower, my place of safety and rest, I am comforted. He relieves me of all my fear and anxiety. I am surrounded with peace, my anxious emotions are quieted, my perspective shifts,  and I see God for who He really is, a present Help in my time of need; the one whose plans are to prosper me and not to harm me. The One who orders my steps and directs my pathway-no matter how unexpected the change might be.

Friend, trust the Lord with EVERYTHING that concerns you. 

In the words of my 9-year-old,

“Don’t focus on the miss but the hits”.

Trust God with the misses and celebrate your wins.

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~Still Becoming~