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How To Deal With The Pain of Civil Unrest

Our nation is in crisis. From plagues and pestilence to systemic racism being played out daily as Black and Brown bodies continue to be subjugated by Whites, our world is in turmoil.

 

Chances are you are running the full gamut of emotions, from frustration and sorrow to anger or even just plain numb. As I’ve watched the events of the past few weeks, I’ve cried, I’ve stewed, I’ve measure my words as I’ve tried to explain these events to my children. And it’s not just the me who I am today feeling this. In me lies the pain of my mother’s, mother’s mother and her mother before her. My very DNA groans in agony.

 

This has been downright HARD! Can you agree?

 

So what do we do with these feelings? How do we navigate through the iceberg of emotions? Because of our personal life experiences we are going to process these events differently. Here are a few ways we can deal with the pain of civil unrest.

 

Permission To Process

Give yourself permission to process and grieve in ways that are suitable for you. You want to cry? CRY. You want to be alone? Spend some time alone. Allow yourself to sit and to feel. Acknowledge your feelings by naming them. Give voice to your feelings.

 

Groan

What happens when we lack the ability and the vocabulary to convey our feelings in coherent words? We groan. That sounds comes from deep in our bellies and out through the throat. It is an honored expression. Even The Spirit Himself utters groanings for us when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26).

 

Obey What God’s Telling You

One of the greatest actions you can take at this time is to commune with God, listen to Him and DO what He tells you to do. Obedience is God’s love language (John 14:15) and if you say you love Him, simply do what He tells you to do. The greatest revolution you can wage is to walk boldly in the purpose for which God put you on this earth. God needs EACH & EVERY Believer suited in their armor, obediently walking out their calling. Whether it’s raising your children, raising your voice in protest or raising your dollar to sow it into a worthy cause, DO the thing He’s called you to do.

 

Take Action

What can you do to directly be a part of the change you seek?

  • Fast & Pray for Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts and His legion of Angels to come against the spirit of terrorism, division, murder and mayhem.
  • Engage in meaningful conversations with people of other races. Share your truth.
  • Support Black owned businesses
  • Engage in peaceful protest
  • Teach your children about race relations
  • Call/Write your local officials
  • Donate $ to a fund (Like Justice for Breonna, The Innocent Project, George Floyd Memorial Fund)
  • Sign a petition
  • Vote

 

Embrace The Moment

Be intentional to take breaks from the bombardment of external chatter so that you can process, think clearly and connect with God. We have to strike a balance between being informed and becoming depressed with the information we are consuming. We have to be purposeful to embrace silence and stillness in the Father’s presence. It is here that we are restored and refreshed so that we can engage when God calls us to act.

 

Friends I am praying for you. The enemy would like nothing more than for us to lose hope but remain hopeful. Our God, Adonai is Sovereign. He is Elyon our God Most High. With all power, authority and dominion in His hands, He will sustain you and I and He will see His kingdome come, His will be done.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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How To Stay Healthy at Home During COVID-19

Many states are slowly reopening and easing their stay-at-home orders. And I don’t know about you, but I’m planning to stick close to home. I’ll let all those who are eager to run out to the salon, nail shop or to Marshall’s for non-essentials have it at. Before I go running anywhere, I’ve got to stand and observe how this plays out. Listen folks, things are not normal. Things are not going back to normal. We are all using this time to craft and learn what will become our new normal. 

 

And while we are figuring all that out, in as much as you may be missing church and hanging out with friends (I know I surely do), we can maximize on engaging activities to stay healthy at home.

 

Now if you are an essential worker, the below strategies are for you too. I hope you’ll find that they bring you comfort, joy and peace when you return to the home front after work. 

 

So here are a few tips for staying healthy at home during COVID-19

 

Healthy In The Mind

Because you are a triune being, a spirit with a soul (mind, will & emotion), housed within a physical body, it is critically important to address all facets of your being if you are to walk in health. So any conversation on health must address mental health. May is mental health awareness month. I don’t know how our world’s current crisis is affecting you and I earnestly pray you are well. If you are experiencing stress or anxiety I want you to click HERE for one of my most recent posts with practical strategies for handling stress.

 

Additionally you can ease your mind by embracing the now moment. It is very easy to get drawn into dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Even Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:24).

 

Sometimes we feel better when I talk things out. Do you have at least one trusted friend, mentor or confidant that you can share your heart with? The bible reminds us 

 

You want to keep your brain sharp too. Engage in some brain building activities like puzzles,  learning a new skill, taking a free college course, reading, and even exercise improves your cognitive abilities.

 

Healthy In The Body

While extra time at home has found some people exercising more, gardening and purging, some have also indulged in extra snacking. Now more than ever it is critically important that we engage in activities that support a strong body. We can be healthy in our bodies by getting proper nourishment, rest and exercise. 

 

So how have your eating habits been while in this corona crisis? We have seen that many who’ve succumbed to the virus had pre-existing health conditions. I want you to be proactive in caring for your health. God has already been speaking to you about what you need to do. Now do it! And if you don’t know where to begin, you can start by picking up a copy of my book 30 Days 30 Ways to Salad Heaven. Swap out one of your daily meals for a salad and you’ll be well on your way.

 

While we’re talking about eating, be a mindful eater. Are you eating because you’re actually hungry or are you eating because you’re bored, angry or sad? 

 

Another practical strategy you can employ is intermittent fasting. And you don’t have to over complicate this. Just decide that you will not eat after ____ time in the evening and you will not eat before _____ time in the morning. You fill in the blank. I don’t eat before 8am and I don’t eat after 8pm so that accounts for 12 hours of overnight fasting. Fasting does WONDERS for the body. From better sleep to weight loss, intermittent fasting is highly beneficial for your health. 

 

Are you getting adequate rest? The Lord said there is a rest for His people. He leads you beside still waters. He makes you lie down in green pastures. Accept His invitation and get some rest.

 

And after you’ve rested and are invigorated go ahead and get in some exercise. Being at home may lead to being sedentary so be purposeful to move that body. There are many fitness experts hopping online offering free or low cost classes so go for it. 

 

Healthy In The Spirit

This conversation on being healthy is not complete without addressing our spiritual health. Being strong in spirit gives us the fortitude to ease the mind and honor the body. Because in our own strength and might we will eventually grow weary. But when we are fueled by the holy spirit at work within us, we don’t rely on our own strength. We access the power within that is greater than our flesh. 

 

The only way I can fulfill my many roles with grace is because of the time I spend with the Father. My quiet time with Him in the morning, and seeking Him all throughout the day fills me so that I can pour back out. Here are two of my favorite devotionals that have made my quiet time rich.

 

Praying The Names of God

 

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

 

Friends, we are all trying to work through this new life as best as we know how. I hope these nuggets prove beneficial in helping you to stay healthy at home during COVID-19 and beyond.

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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10 Practical Ways To Manage Stress

April was National Stress Awareness Month and in May we recognize Mental Health Month. And in light of our current global crisis, it is critical that we proactively protect our minds and our emotions. Stress can certainly be a huge contributor to ebbing away at our mental health so we want to do what we can to get the help we need.

 

Let’s face it, if you are a human being, living on this planet, at some point you will come face to face with stress. We will all come to the place where life’s demands exceed our bandwidth, reaching beyond our capacity to handle. And that’s the place where we can begin to feel stress.

 

In and of itself, stress is not such a bad thing. God hardwired this response into every human. From the dawn of humanity until now, this automatic response mechanism has protected us from imminent danger. From warding off an animal attack hundreds of years ago to quickly stepping on the brakes to avoid a car crash today, stress gives way to the release of hormones enabling our bodies to jump into protective mode.

 

It becomes problematic though when our bodies are constantly operating from the protective mode. While we cannot control all the stressors that life presents but we can control our responses to them.  

 

You will manage stress, stress won’t manage you.

 

10 Practical Ways To Manage Stress

You don’t have to do all of them at once. Perhaps you can adopt one a day or practice one a week until they are ingrained and become part of your regular wellness protocol. Employing the following practices has personally helped me heal from past trauma, manage the demands of caring for a large family while serving my community, grow as a disciple of God and effectively handle the pressures of life.

 

Mindfulness 

Be transformed by renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2). Be purposeful in thinking about the things you think about. When your thoughts are pulled away by worry, fear, and anxiety, cast those down and shift your thoughts to those that are excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

 

Meditation 

Think deeply on God’s word. Day and night meditate on His precepts. Ponder on His goodness and faithfulness. The Psalms encourage us again and again to meditate day and night.

 

Laughter

Sometimes I envy my husband. Laughter comes easily to him. I tend to be more serious and can get consumed by what needs to be done and that has a way of squeezing out laughter. A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22) so take a dose of laughter so that you stay well.

 

Sun Therapy

Light therapy, also known as heliotherapy has been used for ages to heal people. From skin disorders to depression, studies have proven the sun’s ability to heal. So when possible, get outdoors and soak up the sun. It will work wonders to calm your nerves and boost your mood. Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you Isaiah 60:1

 

Deep Breathing

While you’re out there in the sun, breath deeply. Deep breathing calms your nervous system, releases serotonin, and increases your oxygen intake causing you to lower your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and exhale toxins. This is a powerful way to bring about relaxation and peace. 

 

Essential Oils

One of the things that you can breathe deeply is essential oils. Coupling oils with the above practices supercharges their effectiveness. Since the beginning of time, plants and herbs have been used to heal mankind. The bible tells us in Revelation 22:2, the leaves on the trees are for the healing of the nations. Essential oils like Clary Sage and Lavender promote relaxation and boost hope.

 

Sleep

Have you ever experienced the rejuvenating power of a good night’s sleep? Review your sleep hygiene practices. Are you creating an atmosphere conducive for a good night’s rest? Limiting electronics, bathing before bed, using Lavender essential oil and prayer are all practices that can aid you in having a better night’s sleep. Your brain has A LOT of work to do in cataloging all the work you’ve done for the day so you’ve got to get some good sleep. Sleep affects for daily performance and even your weight so go to bed!

 

Exercise

On the other side of sleep is movement. Exercise is an effective way to release endorphins promoting a release of stress and inviting in feel good emotions. So move that body and get your happy on. Exercise isn’t my favorite thing to do but I know it’s good for me so I make it a priority. I’m not saying you’ve got to be a super athlete but I am suggesting that you get that blood flowing, get that heart stimulated and move. 

 

Eating Right

Do you understand the powerful effect that your food has on your mood? Food like Soul Food, that you think of as comfort food actually does little to comfort. While they may bring delight to your palate for a moment, they leave you feeling cramped, bloated, sluggish and these foods lead to inflammation in the joints which further leaves you feeling poorly. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will leave you feeling light, energized and empowered knowing you are doing the right thing for your body. If you need help in knowing what to eat to energize you, improve your mood and reduce stress, get your hands on my book, 30 Days 30 Ways to Salad Heaven.

 

Gratitude

Listen, even in the hardest of times, God has been mmm mmm good to you. Think about how He’s provided for you. Thing about how He’s kept you. Think about how He’s empowered you to forgive those who have wronged you. Think about the beautiful friends and family He’s given you. Think about the talent He’s placed in you. There are so so many reasons to give thanks. So pause and reflect on His praiseworthy deeds and the mighty works of His hands and offer up a Thank You Lord! It will surely shift your focus off of your current stress and unto His goodness.

 

And I have so many others, I may have to do a Part 2. If you’d like to see a part two of this series leave me a comment. And also let me know how any of the above strategies have helped you manage stress.

 

While each of these suggestions may seem a small thing, when coupled together as part of your overall wellness protocol, they will yield a GREAT return. I pray your month is filled with God’s joy and His peace which surpasses all understanding.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

 

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