Reader,

Life is full of seasons, phases, moments, ups and downs. Sometimes we're in storms, on top of a mountain, in the thick of it, living the dream, taking things one day at a time. Sometimes "everything is fine." Sometimes we put on a front to appear as though we're doing great.

There is ALWAYS something or someone we can be grateful for. Gratitude is powerful. But in the midst of a storm, like I'm in now, it's helpful to also acknowledge what isn't great, or where we are struggling, or what flat out sucks. It's nice to have real friends and a community to open up to and admit when things are hard, uncertain, and scary.

Rarely is EVERYTHING fine. Right? And that's okay.

Getting through the storm is NOT about denying reality. Own it without extra judgment.

• We all want to feel heard, acknowledged, and validated. Sometimes it's acknowledging the fact that things aren't great that actually helps. "Look at the bright side" or "it'll be alright" can feel dismissive and off-putting. It denies the reality immediately. Though it may very well be true.

• Positivity and optimism are not the same. Optimism is brutally honest, AND yet still has hope in a better future. Positivity can feel surface level, fake, and dismisses real pain, worry, doubt and fear that's happening. Own it, remove all the extra judgement, and find hope in what's ahead.

God is still at work, even though it really doesn't seem like it, and cares MOST about our hearts.

I'm in a storm, and I do want to be on the other side of this. Yet, I also want to trust in God, have faith, and explore in my heart how God is working. I know at some point I will look back and have a bit more clarity as to how God was working, specifically on my heart. This gives me real hope.

1 Samuel 16:7 - "...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

This verse has given me motivation in the present, and helped me take one step at a time.

Romans 5: 3-5

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE, and endurance produces CHARACTER, and character produces HOPE, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been give to us."

The tendency is to spend time worrying about the future, or day dreaming about the future, or regretting the past. Anything but the present. However, being present in the storm, even though hard, is building endurance, character, and hope. It's strengthening you. It's not for nothing. And, to get anywhere, you do have to start with taking one step forward. Focus on YOUR one step forward.

Ask yourself:

• Am I more focused on what I'm doing for God or what he's doing in me?
• What might God be teaching me in this moment?
• What have I been primarily focused on? Is that serving me?
• What specifically do I need to give to God instead of carry all by myself?

Remember: "We can be in the pressure but not full of pressure." -Coach Chambers