Have you ever went through a time where it seems like all life was throwing at you was problem after problem, issue after issue? I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been there.
Just a couple weeks ago, I had one of the worst weeks I have had in awhile. It all started out when I was leaving a shopping plaza and was hit by a box truck as he decided it was time for him to get back in the lane I was in. It all happened right before my eyes and there was nothing I could do, except to try to ignore the horrid crunching sound as the box truck crashed into me. Thankfully, I was completely fine as it was a low impact hit, but my car wasn’t fine at all. The box truck had completely torn up my doors, side panel, mirror, and more. They ended up totaling the car.
The day after the accident, I was at work and sat on a tacky wet bench. Obviously, I didn’t realize it had wet paint on it at the time. When I went to stand up, I saw that I had white paint all over my hand and all over my bottom, as well. The worst part was that I had worn my favorite pair of black leggings that day. Needless to say, those leggings had to be thrown out.
The day after the paint incident, I was waiting to checkout at Target with some items I had picked up for a sponsored post I was working on. I swiped my car and what do you know, it’s saying it’s declined. A bill had ended up pulling right before I was trying to make my purchase, so I ended up having to transfer funds over, but it took a good five minutes. Five minutes in an embarrassing situation like that feels like an eternity.
Then that Saturday, my husband woke up and checked our bank account and to our surprise, our account was in the process of being drained. Someone must have gotten our card information from when we swiped our card somewhere. Sadly, this has happened before and happens to many, especially around the holiday season. Michael got to the ATM as fast as he could to take out whatever we had left before calling and cancelling that card. We’ll get our money back, but with the Thanksgiving holiday, everything is very delayed.
Thankfully, everything started to work itself over the weekend. Michael was able to find a car for the exact amount we got back for our previous car. It has low miles, an amazing record, and so much more. It’s a huge blessing and a huge stress off of our shoulders.
[bctt tweet=”Tough times are hard, but let them be used to shape you into the person you’re meant to be.” username=”SummerTelban”]
Every time I go through rough times like these, it’s hard to pull myself out out of the defeated hole I’m stuck in. It’s not easy. I have always found myself disagreeing with the saying that “there are no problems, only opportunities to learn.” It’s okay to accept that there are bumps and problems in life. Don’t just try to write them off as opportunities to learn if you’re not accepting that it’s okay that these issues will come up, and that yes, it’s okay to struggle in these times. Times like these are hard, but they are used to shape you into the person you’re meant to be.
6 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN LIFE GETS YOU DOWN:
Your Attitude Makes A Difference // I have always been someone who’s a realist and on the edge of a pessimist depending on the situation and context of a situation, especially when it’s a personal issue. With others, I find myself always being more enthusiastic and optimistic. It is a constant struggle for me to always seek to find the good in the times when life seems to just keep beating me down. While I know those times will pass, it’s not always easy to choose to believe that 100%. I’m just being honest. Over the past couple years I have really been trying to focus on my attitude and self-talk when it comes to a tough season in life. Even though it’s hard to choose to be positive and to keep on going, those efforts and shifts in attitudes really make a huge difference.
Anger & Bitterness Will Only Beat You Down More // Before I get too far into this point, I just want to remind you that it’s okay to feel the way you feel. It’s okay. Your feelings are valid. It’s okay to feel! When it comes to anger and bitterness, try not to hold onto those feelings too long, because they will only end up beating you down even more. During my rough week that I explained about earlier, it was extremely hard for me to not have a bitter spirit. In fact, I was very bitter the entire week. I just felt so defeated and I was angry that these things were happening to me. I honestly think that the stress I wasn’t releasing and that the bitter taste I was holding onto just distracted me from any kind of joy I might have found in the situation. Simply put: Drop the anger and bitterness. Let yourself find rest.
[bctt tweet=”Drop the anger. Drop the bitterness. They’ll always weigh you down more than your trials will.” username=”SummerTelban”]
Today Is Not Forever // “Today is not forever.” This is a phrase I would always repeat to myself whenever I really found myself struggle with something or a situation. When you’re having a terrible week or even just a bad day, remind yourself that that day is not forever. Tomorrow is always a new day. Tomorrow is always a new chance. Tomorrow is a clean slate. I think we have a hard time taking things one day at a time. Well, I know I have a hard time with that! Reminding myself that today is not forever always keeps myself encouraged; looking forward to tomorrow. Things can and do change.
[bctt tweet=”A reminder for when life is getting you down: Today is NOT forever.” username=”SummerTelban”]
Keep A Humble & Grateful Heart // Humility is something that more involved in our negative circumstances than we’d realize on the surface. I am sure I’m not the only one to think, “I know I’m not perfect, but I don’t know what I could have done to get this kind of a bad situation.” That’s something I automatically think whenever something unfortunate happens to me. I try to figure out why it would happen to me or why it shouldn’t have. When I came to the realization that thinking this way was actually a form of pride, I tried to redirect my thoughts to more positive and thankful thoughts. The truth is, bad situations happen to everyone at some point. It’s not always because of something you did. Sometimes life just happens. Acknowledging that fact will help you to become more free and relieved. Keeping a grateful heart is so, so, so key in trying circumstances. While it may seem impossible to find things to be thankful for in tough times, it’s completely possible. When you start to count your blessings rather than your situations of bad luck, you’ll find more joy in your circumstances.
[bctt tweet=”Keeping a humble & grateful heart during tough season speaks volumes about your character!” username=”SummerTelban”]
You Will Get Through This Tough Time & Come Out Stronger // Sometimes a tough time is just a bad day, but often times it’s a bad week, month, or even longer. It’s always important to remind yourself that you WILL get through that season. You will persevere and rise above! In these times of trials, remind yourself of all of the truths! When life gets you down, remember that it’s only shaping you to be a stronger version of yourself. I love, love this quote by Charles Spurgeon and I hope it can be of encouragement to you if you’re struggling: “Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.”
[bctt tweet=”Let the trials you’re going through dig up all the good that you’re made of.” username=”SummerTelban”]
You’re Being Equipped To Help Someone In The Future // The majority of the troubles I have faced in life have ended up letting me help someone in the future. While I learn lessons through every situation life throws at me, it means even more to me that one day I’ll be able to use my experience to relate and encourage others. I can’t count the times that I have been able to be there for someone or share in-depth experiences with someone who was going through the same thing I did at one time. It’s amazing to see how trials can be used for good. It’s humbling to be a part of the process of encouraging someone through their own journey.
[bctt tweet=”Remember: Your tough times can be used to help others in the future.” username=”SummerTelban”]
When life gets you down, what’s something that you always remind yourself of? Do you struggle with anything in particular? Tough times and trials are to make us grow stronger and wiser…What’s a time in your life when a trial helped you become stronger? What are your tips for staying encouraged during tough times? Let’s encourage one another!
[bctt tweet=”6 Things To Remind Yourself Of When Life Gets You Down ” username=”SummerTelban”]
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