Let’s start NOW! Because life won’t wait.
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” - John 16:33 TPT
I have shared in past blogs that I am currently in the most peaceful, joyous, liberated season I’ve ever experienced.
Chile, life heard that and said “hold my beer!” These last couple months have brought personal storms that I never could’ve anticipated.
I admit that at first, I was shaken. But, the Lord quickly reminded me that I am in the best physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual shape of my life. I realized that I had been unknowingly preparing myself for this very battle.
My journey to this place started back in 2020.
Like most people when the pandemic hit, I had more time in stillness.
I started checking things off my list that I had only talked about before, but was never disciplined enough to actually execute.
This included finally making exercise a part of my life, changing my eating habits to healthier options which eventually led me to giving up meat and dairy altogether, and creating a 5am morning routine that still feeds my soul like nothing else can.
I never expected that the disciplines I built at the start of 2020, would be the very disciplines God would use to pull me through the agonizing grief I would experience at the end of 2020 after losing my father.
The zoom workout recordings I’d purchased with a hilarious instructor brought me laughter when all I wanted to do was cry.
The smoothies I grew to love became my physical life source when I couldn’t eat because of grief.
My 5am morning routine became my space to literally lie on my face and weep uncontrollably before God when I didn’t yet have a therapist.
In this season, I am being forced to grieve again. Except, this time, death is not the cause of my grief.
Instead, I’ve been forced to grieve the existence of multiple, deeply personal relationships as I once knew them.
Relationships that have sustained me since childhood and that I, in retrospect, never thought I could live without.
But just like before, God has been so intentional. Like before, the disciplines I’ve built in this season to actively grow, heal and transform are the same disciplines God is using to pull me through the grief I am battling through today.
Sisterhoods I’ve cultivated over the years serve as mirrors, constantly reminding me that God wastes nothing when I can’t comprehend the purpose behind the pain.
Bible verses that I have wrestled with for years are my anchor when my feelings threaten to rob me of the truth.
Therapy teaches me to accept life, people and circumstances as they are and reject victimhood.
My long prayer walks have been a sounding board where I go to receive wisdom and divine perspective.
I’ve learned that there is no antidote to trials and tribulations. I share this in hopes that you will be inspired to start today.
Start now.
Start pouring into and cultivating the healthy relationships you already have.
Start journalling, waking up 10 minutes earlier and spending time with God.
Start moving your body. Start something that moves you in the direction of healing. Start building your tools. Your weapons.
Because as long as you are alive, you will need them. And while we can’t wish our way out of life’s troubles, we can alter the way we fight. So, just START.
Today, I am grateful to God for keeping me through every storm of life by giving me the tools and teaching me how to fight.
You know the deal.
What are you grateful for today?
Freely,
Latiera
