It’s a new season. It’s some of the same old season. A Texas spring which is cool and rainy one day, then the next day spikes to 96 with unbearable humidity. But, wait. This is Texas. If you don’t like the weather just wait. Today, it’s back to feeling like a nice spring day.
On again. Off again.
I was reminded about how precious life was last week. In an instant, the entire trajectory of one’s life can make a complete u-turn. A surprise family emergency. It’s one with a lot of strange dynamics and stresses. The energy to think about the entire ordeal has drained me mentally, and physically. It was also my wake-up call that I’m not writing the works dearest to my heart.
I woke up yesterday sick. I know it’s because some of the stress wore down my immune system which I’ve been working to strengthen. One thing about sickness, you have time to think.
As I paused and thought about some realities, I had a wake-up call. It’s a new season with my writing. For a long time, I’ve been putting a lot of writing energy into mentoring writers. The writing of all the things close to my heart has been tucked away until another day. But, things are about to change.
Today as I’m journaling, I’m rethinking my author and writing strategy. What’s really important to me? I’m permitting myself to be very greedy with my time and set boundaries with myself and others. I am rethinking my self-care and making my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being a high priority. We all know the saying, “You can’t fill the cups with an empty pitcher.”
Here are some more questions I’m pondering today. If you’re going through some stress, I invite you to journal along with me.
Journal questions when stressed
When are other times I’ve felt overwhelmingly stressed? How did I respond then? Is there anything I would have done differently that I can apply now? When did I feel God’s presence and peace amidst the stress?
What are the sources of stress in my life currently? Of these stress factors, what can I control, and what is beyond my control? How can I bring these concerns before God in prayer?
Many times in the past, my stress has centered on my wanting to control things and the outcome. How can I release and surrender the control? How can I cultivate trusting God’s plan and timing (even in the midst of the overwhelm)?