Within the next year, our family will be going through numerous big changes. We’ve just welcomed our second child, giving us two children under the age of two. The spring semester is about to start for Sean and I’ll be starting work again. Then my husband will be receiving his first call as an LCMS Lutheran Pastor in April, potentially anywhere in the United States. Finally, after his graduation, we’ll be moving our family, likely across the country, to our new home for at least the next few years. We have no idea where we’ll be moving and will have just around a month to find a house if there’s no parsonage, pack all of our belongings, and prepare our young children for another big move (my husband and I have moved at least once per year since we started dating, over 7 times!). While I’m more than ready to FINALLY settle in a place to call home, it doesn’t make the prospects of everything changing less stressful.
With big changes such as the ones we’re going through, I have a tendency to obsess over possible outcomes and worry about things that could go wrong. I love to “window shop” on Zillow but it’s recently been to an extreme. Sean and I have had numerous conversations about his first call. I’ve talked about it with friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited – especially if I’m able to start my garden, get farm animals, have plenty of space for the boys to play outside, etc. – but transitions in life are still stressful all the same. Whether it’s a new baby, new job, a big move, or something less happy like the loss of a loved one (through death, a broken relationship, or some other reason), it’s a lot of process emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. You could be happy, excited, sad, frustrated, angry, or any number of feelings regarding what’s going on in your life. Mentally, you’re likely stressed whether you realize it or not. Many big changes require planning and prep which puts more on your mental load than usual and if you’re already busy the added stress can lead to depression and health issues.
As I’m sure you already know or have been told before, it’s important to have outlets for stress and other emotions as opposed to ignoring or bottling up feelings. Personally, I enjoy exercising/getting outside and being active, reading, cleaning (I am a major rage cleaner when upset 🤣), and other activities I can do without having to use my brain that way I’m able to shut it off and physically let out what I’m feeling. Something I’ve been trying to work on while going through this season of busyness and stress is being mindful to speak to God and cast my fears onto Him. Leaning on God is ultimately the best way to work through stress. Whether you’re praying or not, He hears you. He hears your worries, your doubts about the path you’re following, He sees your struggles. God sees your excitement and joy. Lift it all up to Him. Pray your heart and soul out to the Lord and He will answer, maybe not in the ways you expect, but He will work in your life ultimately for your betterment.
When my mom passed, I couldn’t see how good could come from such a loss. I trusted in God still and now looking back I can see the amount of growth I went through following her passing. The same happened after giving birth to Seamus. That experience also led to me diving deeper into a holistic lifestyle and trying to live as healthy of a realistic life as possible. I’m sure I’ll experience something similar in the coming months. We’ll be new people who will become important in our lives. We’ll continue building on the life we’ve started and working on attaining our dreams.
Whether you’re at a low point in life or are just struggling through the mundane, God has a purpose for your life. It won’t always be a struggle and it won’t always seem overwhelmingly stressful and busy when you lean on God.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. – Isaiah 41:10
