How to Get Through Challenging Times
We all go through challenging times at one point or another in our lives. It’s so important to not allow ourselves to get off course during these times. If we do find ourselves off course, it’s important to get back on course by having a plan or set goals so that we are able to get you where we need to be.
Develop a Relationship with God / Read Scripture
A relationship with God sustains you. As a believer, when you put your relationship with God first it causes you to leave your worries behind (Matt. 6:33 and Prov. 3:5-6) and to focus on Him. He will take care of you and He knows what you need. You have to remember that nothing is bigger than God (Phil. 4:13). He is your creator; He loves you, and wants nothing but the best for you.
It’s important to find scriptures that are uplifting to you and that you can refer to when you need to be uplifted. If you don’t know any, get on your computer and search for uplifting scriptures and go from there.
Sometimes our friends or family are not around when we need to be uplifted. God has provided His word for us at just those times. Consider it your manual for your life from your manufacturer. After all, when you buy something from a store whether it is a toaster or a vacuum cleaner, it always comes with an owner’s manual.
When we are broken and need to be fixed or uplifted, we need to refer to our manual to find out what will help us get back on track so our lives we will run smoother. It’s also important to pray for His protection to surround you during challenging times. It’s during these times that we are quite vulnerable.
A protection scripture I refer to daily is Psalm 91. I know that there are others but this one is a favorite of mine. Again, you can always do a search and find scriptures for protection. Always remember who you are and whose you are.
Keep a Journal
A journal is another way outside of having a prayerful life that allows me to release what’s inside of me onto paper so I can see in black and white what I’m feeling at that moment. This release causes me to take time to breathe and focus.
It allows me to say, “Okay this is what’s going on right now, this is how I’m feeling, I’m here right now but where I really want to be is over there. How do I get there?” Even though you may not realize it at the time, it’s as though you are writing your own directions to a road map, your own road map to your course of life. This “distraction” has caused me to be at Point A but I need to be at Point B.
The journey or directions that we take to get to our Point B is also important. What you do during your journey should sustain you. Your “directions” are the actions you need to take in order to get you to where you need to be.
Do you want to go back to school?
Do you need to forgive someone for hurting you?
Do you need to put an end to a relationship?
Do you want to lose weight?
Write the steps you need to take in order to get to Point B and review them often. If it helps to write them on note cards, post-it notes, on your to-do list, etc. Just write them down and refer back them often.
Maybe you want to purchase a house and having a picture of a house that you see yourself buying is what you need to keep you on track. Find that picture and keep it on your mirror, refrigerator, wherever you will see it to remind you that this is your Point B.
Whether it is when you are feeling discouraged or if it’s a daily reminder to yourself that you are on the right track, it is a way to remind you that this is your Point B and you will be here in no time.
Goals and the steps to obtain them are your starting point, middle point, and your end point. Remember that obtaining goals takes time and that’s okay. The process you will go through to achieve your goals will be the process where you gain more wisdom, more strength and growth. Remember that goals usually don’t happen overnight but with faith, patience and a plan you will get there. 
