Finding A New Normal In Life’s Changes

“Relief from chronic pain-even though I remain paralyzed-would be blissfully, peacefully, joyously ‘normal’ for me these days.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

The week after we dropped off our youngest child at college, I broke my right foot on an uneven sidewalk.

I never expected to be facing my new season of being an empty nester by being stuck at home. In fact, I had prepared myself by planning ahead. I had joined a bible study and made several lunch dates. I had even considered starting a prayer group.

My unexpected injury forced me to let go of all my plans and to submit myself completely to God’s.

Life is full of trauma and startling events.  We never know what we may abruptly have to face. It can be a broken relationship, an accident or illness, a death, a job loss, etc.

The truth is life is unpredictable.

When life changes unexpectedly what was once “normal” may have to be reinvented and become “new.” (tweet this).

With the onset of an unanticipated life change, our character and our faith will also be tested.  I’m not going to lie, my broken foot has challenged me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Everything in my life has suddenly changed, and nothing feels normal anymore.

I have had to adjust my thinking and redefine what normal is for me.

The reason letting go of all our expectations is challenging is because our routine gives us a sense of control and, therefore, comfort.

Learning to surrender to God’s plans and letting go of our own is something we tend to resist. God, however, want us to allow Him to have full control of our lives.

God wants us to trust Him when unexpected events happen – when our “normal” is suddenly changed.

The only way to lean on God during an unexpected life change is through complete submission to Him. This means letting go of all your expectations, but trusting His plans for you.

Sometimes it means letting go of your plans day by day, hour by hour, or even moment by moment.

God will show you your new normal. All you have to do is be still and know that He will (Psalm 46:10).

Surrender all your negative emotions to Jesus and filter your every thought through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Speak life into your circumstances. There is power in your spoken words (Proverbs 18:21).

For example, I have not been sleeping well at night since I broke my foot. I have, therefore, been waking up later in the mornings. Having normally been an early riser, this has been very hard on me. Without realizing it, my thoughts were becoming negative. My dear friend, Julie, reminded me that I needed to accept waking up later in the morning than I usually do as part of my new normal.

You will have to change your perspective when defining what your new normal will be.

Part of finding your new normal is trusting God and walking in faith.

God has a purpose for your life. He will use your unexpected suffering for good, but it’s up to you if you will allow Him to.

As for me, I plan on persevering in my new normal by being more positive in every detail of my life. This means relying on His faithfulness.  It also means being more still with Him, spending time in prayer and in His Word, allowing Him to orchestrate each minute of my day.

I don’t need to be shaken and overcome with despair because my new normal means that life isn’t the way I had planned it to be. I can trust and find comfort by resting in God’s presence.

May you be willing to allow God to help you define your new normal too.

Please leave me a comment below on how you deal with unexpected events and let go of any expectations you may have had?

“The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.” ~ Psalm 138:8