What Happens If You're Disappointed This Week?

Disappointment is a big issue with kids around.  Every parent will tell you not to say a word about a trip to the zoo or a possible visitor until it is actively happening, otherwise there will be mountains of disappointed fits.  One of the ways we try to manage disappointment with our kids, especially as they've gotten older, is to talk about how we will react if we are disappointed.  When there's a chance their cousins will get to come over, but it's still up in the air (or something in that same category), we often have them talk about what they will feel and what they will do with that feeling.  I don't want to sound patronizing, but I think we all need to take ourselves through this exercise before this election on Tuesday.

Like it or not, there will be a lot of people disappointed by this presidential election, as there always is.  I'm not sure who it will be - maybe you, maybe your neighbor, but there will be disappointment.  How are we going to handle ourselves if that happens to us?  Even better, how are we going to handle ourselves if the outcome is something we like?  We've gotten used to the term unprecedented times as though it excuses bad behavior, but it really calls for grace.  That means not returning angry words with more angry words.  That means treating others with dignity whether we feel they deserve it or not.  That means not being a sore loser or condescending winner.  

This next week could be a side show of epic proportions or it might be a pleasant dive into November.  Whatever the case, I'm still commanded to live a life that reflects Jesus and His reign in my life.  Of course, it is easier said than done when unrest hits close to home.  There might be a lot of reasons you are afraid and unsettled heading in to this week. We don't know the future and this year has given all of us a dose of PTSD so it's easy to assume it may just get worse.  And maybe it will.  But if God is directing your path, then whatever is happening is allowed and ultimately His will.

Just as God and my marriage to Mr. Butler dictates that I love him just as much when things are really bad as when they are amazing, our commitment to godly behavior extends to when life is scary or unfair.  And maybe you are going to be tempted to argue or fuss this week as a result of the election.  It's understandable because, well, 2020.  But love is patient, love is kind.  And He is love and so then should we be as well.  So, as you think about all the bazillion ways this week could go, consider how you will choose to behave in response to it.  Will that remind others of how your final authority is in heaven?  Or will it just add to the mess of ugliness that comes from losing your way?

I'm praying for us tonight because we all need it so much.  Let's pray together for clear heads prevailing in all things this week and protection against foolish words and actions.  And for goodness sakes, let's keep it together! :)

Mind Control and Thinking Matters

There is a lot of turmoil in our culture that tries to overtake our minds on a daily basis.  In our private lives, there is often a different kind of turmoil that we work to live amidst and rise above in our work and relationships.  Then there is the turmoil that is sometimes (or always) present in our hearts because of things like fear, grief, anxiety and disappointment.

When we don't have outlets to process all of these things, extreme reactions often occur.  Sometimes it is an outburst of anger or explosive posts on social media.  Other times it creates the beginning of disease and dysfunction - physically, emotionally and most certainly within our relationships.

I'm almost 34 weeks pregnant - getting very close to a really big day of celebration and change, a very certain bend in the road.  For me, the anxiety of the mind can overtake all of the good elsewhere in the body and control things for the worse.   That is exactly what happened with J's birth.  I was afraid and couldn't see anything else once the pain started.  Praise the Lord for second chances because I was able to change that with miss Z's birth.  I learned to get my active mind out of the way and the body took over - doing a much better (and quicker) job than I had let it do before.  In my case, the babies weren't much different in size.  The risks or lack thereof weren't different.  The difference was how I thought (courtesy of Blissborn). As I'm staring down this road again with a much fuller perspective (and a fuller plate), I can see how easily the pendulum can swing solely based on what is flying around in my head.  Knowing what I know now, it's my responsibility to fill it with the good and the encouraging things, rather than the uncertain and negative.

More than ever before we are struggling with disease and mental health issues.  After miss Z's 1st birthday, I found myself riddled with anxiety and drowning in poor health, despite thinking I was fine.  The road back to health changed me a lot.  If your thoughts and emotions are a constant struggle, then you especially need to consider what's going into your mind and how your brain is processing all of that.  And give yourself every opportunity to surround yourself with light and beauty.  If we don't do it on purpose, the ugliness and pain of the world can absolutely take over. Our mind can be our biggest asset if we treat it right.

-Point out great things (and not complain).
-Commit to a prayer & Bible study habit.
-Listen to beautiful things.
-Express yourself through creating - like music, writing, painting, woodworking, etc.
-Take time with nature.
-Gain perspective through gratitude.
-Consider lifestyle changes like exercise, food choices and supplement deficiencies.

Most importantly, talk about it.  Our thoughts and concerns affect us mostly deeply, but often we keep them hidden from most everyone in our life.  Find a person or a group where you can share your struggles.  Just getting them outside of your self is a really big step toward health.