How To Survive Life Changing Hardships

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. – C.S. Lewis

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Special Thought – Life is hard. But not impossible.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s WELCOME APRIL in by learning how to awaken our whole being – mind, body and spirit through journal writing. Knowledge is power and I want to share some with you today. Well, I hope you have your journal and something to write with. I love to write in my journal because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action.

Mind – Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love.
Body – Your body is healthy and beautiful.
Spirit – Everything you need is within you.

Journal writing is a form of personal expression. Journal writing can be whatever you want it to be. Now, take a moment and write down the questions below in your journal. Then, spend some time answering each question.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What is your proudest accomplishment?
What is your biggest failure?
What is overwhelming in your life right now?
How can you reduce this overwhelming feeling?

This journal writing exercise will help you navigate life and the various hardships you may experience along your journey.

WHAT IS A HARDSHIP?

If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. – Thich Nhat Hanh

There are so many people still hurting right now and struggling to find a way to put their lives back together after being isolated for so long during the pandemic. Have you ever wondered how some people survived life changing hardships during this time?

Hardship (noun) can be defined as a severe suffering or privation; adversity or something difficult or unpleasant that you must endure or overcome.

The most common examples of hardship include:

Illness or injury
Change of employment status
Loss of income
Natural disasters
Divorce
Death
Military deployment

Believe it or not, hardships are a constant reminder that we are human. Whether big or small, we all go through hardships in one form or another in life.

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HOW TO SURVIVE LIFE CHANGING HARDSHIPS

Everyone has hardship in their life. Everyone has pain. – Gayle Forman

Let’s face it, life is full of ups and downs. Even though each person must experience their own set of hardships in life, it’s important to know how to navigate through the process so you will survive life changing hardships.

Make A Plan – While you don’t have a crystal ball that’s going to tell you when hardships may occur in your life, you can look at patterns in your life to see what challenges you may be experiencing at the time. Then, make a plan for you to follow if a hardship may occur in the future.
Know You’re Not Alone – Believe it or not, there’s someone in this world who has gone through the same thing you’re experiencing right now. You’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to share your burdens with family or friends who are willing to assist you during your darkest hour.
Ask For Help – There’s no need to feel ashamed or to go through hardships alone, ask for help. Whether you ask a family member, friend or stranger, there should be people in your life that want to see you overcome this hardship and succeed.
Express Your Feelings – Don’t trap your feelings inside, but instead express your feelings either verbally or in writing. Talk to a friend, therapist or write in your journal.
Endure Your Hardships – Unfortunately, there is no escaping hardships in life. However, it’s important to know that you must endure your hardships rather than looking for an easy way out.
Be A Risk Taker – Don’t be afraid of failure. In order to accomplish great things in life, you must be willing to take risks.
Positive Mindset – What you think becomes your reality. Train your mind to think positive and uplifting thoughts. For example, recite positive affirmations, read an inspirational book or listen to inspirational podcasts.
Look For Learning and Growth Opportunities – When you’re stuck in the trenches of life, it’s hard to find a positive outlook. However, push yourself to find learning and growth opportunities as you endure the painful hardships.
Don’t Give Up – Whatever you do in life, don’t give up. Make goals for yourself and make a plan to reach those goals. When hardships occur in life, be ready, take time to analyze the situation, put your pride aside and ask for help if you need it.

Learning how to deal with hardships takes time, persistence, a positive attitude, and a willingness to change.

LIFE CHANGING AFFIRMATIONS

At the end of hardship comes happiness. – Charlie Gilkey

Affirmations are a great way to kick-start your day or to end your day in reflection. The purpose of positive affirmations is to affirm to ourselves that things are good even if we don’t necessarily feel that way at the time. Life changing affirmations can be used as a guide to help you receive healing and immediate change in life. Remember, consistency is key. Also, it’s important to find affirmations that resonate with you and align with your beliefs. Take a moment each day and recite the following life changing affirmations:

Today is filled with possibility.
I am limitless, my soul is eternal, and my potential is infinite.
I have the power to create the life I desire.
I am worthy of love, happiness, and fulfillment.
I create happiness by appreciating the little things in life.
I am strong enough to overcome life challenges.
My life is filled with purpose.
I can become anything I put my mind to.
I am confident about my future.
I see failure as an opportunity to learn.
I am fearless and my doubts are replaced by faith.
I don’t live for things. I live for a spiritual purpose.
I am superior to negativity and I rise above my struggles.
I have a healthy body, tranquil mind, and a vibrant soul.

Designate a time in the morning and at night when you can recite affirmations aloud. By saying them aloud, you hear the powerful words, and it can help you internalize them as true. The key to seeing a positive change in life is to say the affirmations with conviction and make it personal.

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WAYS TO RESTORE YOURSELF

When something is renewed, restored, or resurrected, it’s never the same as it was before. God has something better! – Jana Carlson

After you have embraced the concept of how to survive life changing hardships, it’s important to realize that you have the power to cultivate positive energy within your own body as well. Yes, even when you are exhausted, burned out, and feel like you’ve got nothing left to give, your body can guide you to a more peaceful place of greater vitality, inner strength, and well-being.

Here’s some helpful ways to restore yourself at any given time in life:

Rest when your body says rest. When you listen to your body and give yourself the rest you need, you’ll rebuild your energy over the long-term.
Practice self-awareness and cultivate stillness within you. Allow yourself to feel the stillness around you, letting it soak into your body.
Practice whole-body breathing. Feel your breath inside your body and notice how far it reaches within you.
Nourish your body wholeheartedly. Be conscious and heartfelt in how you nourish your body by choosing healthy foods that feel inherently good for you.
Develop a self-care routine that may include practicing restorative movement, light walking, stretching, and yoga. This will help regain energy in your body.
Have compassion for yourself and treat yourself kindly. Be kind in your thoughts and feelings towards yourself. Do this in Christ’s strength, not your own.
Nurture what inspires you, the simple pleasures of life through your thoughts, energy and actions.
Don’t neglect your own needs. Learn to guard your time like the precious gift that it is.

Remember, to be totally restored takes time as well as our precious minds focused on God and His greatness. We can survive life changing hardships if we keep our faith in God. Then, and only then will God renew us with hope and joy leaving us with much needed anticipation for eternity.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey, and everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

What motivates you the most?
What have you purposefully skipped out on, even if you wanted it?
What’s the first thing you turn to when you feel overwhelmed?
What changes do you want to see in your life in five years?
What do you wish to gain or experience coming out of a current change you’re going through?
What are three goals (big or small) you want to accomplish from this change?
What flaws and mistakes can you forgive yourself for?
How can you make sure to fill your cup before giving yourself to others?
What’s a limiting perspective or mindset that you’ve lived with your entire life? How do you plan to work through it?
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Are you pursuing that daily?
What things are you willing to let go of so you can live your best life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!