The Power of a Pause: Finding Silver Linings When Life Feels Hard

There’s a state we sometimes find ourselves in during tough seasons in our lives. You know, it’s quiet, heavy, and even difficult to name. It creeps in after prolonged struggle, when we’ve stayed in a trying situation far longer than we ever thought we would. We still have good things going – family, a job, a roof over our heads, but somehow, all we can see is what’s not working.

How did you get here and why can’t you shake it? This doesn’t happen overnight. Disappointment can pile up. Delays can drain your hope and your energy. And little by little, the negative becomes the loudest voice in the room.

But here’s the truth: when you pause long enough to reflect, you will realize the story isn’t all bad. You may not be where you want to be, but if you pause, you’ll see you are not where you use to be either. Have you given thought to why it is that you’re so miserable? Even where you are, there are silver linings. You know –  the small mercies, unexpected generosities, quiet strength, and moments of peace that held you together when you didn’t think you’d make it.

There’s the friend who checked in when you were too tired to reach out. The roof that didn’t leak during the storm. The job that may not be perfect, but still pays the bills. The prayer you whispered, and the calm that followed.

These blessings matter – not because they erase the pain, but because they train our hearts to be thankful and to hope again. You just have to stop long enough to see them.

Will you give yourself that chance today? It only takes a few minutes to shift your focus. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to see all that’s right in your world.

Here’s to seeing the light before you reach the end of the tunnel!

Debra