Riding The Storms of Life in Peace

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We all experience seasons of pain, heartache, and trauma at one time or another, whether you're suffering from a betrayal of a friend, a job loss, divorce, a hostile work environment or the death of a loved one. It's the inescapable part of our journey that we must learn to endure, in spite of what life brings our way.
 
How can we persevere through the storm when it feels too painful to overcome?  I'll share my own process of how I maintain my peace, while riding the waves of distress and pain.
 
Keep in mind, having peace during a storm doesn't mean you won't grieve and feel the distress of your circumstances. It's necessary and healthy to go through a grieving process after experiencing a tough situation. The difference is that the pain you're feeling is buffered by your peace in such a way, you won't feel the full brunt of it and you're free to move forward with your life as you endure through the storm.
 
My first step is to pray and seek God for divine peace. There are some things that we just can't overcome alone and we need divine intervention to strengthen us during our weakest moments. Spend time in God's presence daily to be empowered by His strength and to receive divine peace. God loves to serve as our source of refuge and healing.
 
Now that you're nourishing your spirit, you can begin taking steps to nourish your body.  The best way to do so is by getting some exercise. No, you won't feel like it. Especially when you're feeling overwhelmed and distraught, but once you get physically active, you'll feel better. Exercise helps to release hormones that significantly improves your mood and clears your mind. You don't have to do a heavy workout; simply take a brisk walk for up to 20 minutes to get those "feel good" hormones flowing.
 
Next, you must nourish your mind. Find out about the stories of others that have gone through similar circumstances. If you don't know anyone personally, find a book that is based on how someone overcame his or her own storm that is comparable to your situation. You can do a simple search on Google or Amazon.com to find a book that you can personally relate to. It's guaranteed that you'll be able to find a book addressing your need, no matter what it is.
 
​In time, you'll find yourself on the other side of the storm. The difference from the beginning of the storm and coming out of it is that you'll be strengthened, feeling renewed and ready to embrace what's up ahead, in peace.