When Life Turns Upside Down: Finding Peace in the Storm
Disclaimer: I am not a licensed mental healthcare professional, so please make sure to speak to a licensed therapist or doctor if you are in a rough place. If you are in crisis, please call 988 or 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Judy sits at her desk, working on a report, when she suddenly feels dizzy and passes out. Later, her doctor runs tests in the emergency room and sends her to a specialist. After looking at the results, they know they need to have a tough conversation with Judy.
Candice takes her kids to a nearby park. She smiles as her youngest, Magdon, chases leaves in the wind, arms waving as he jumps in the grass. Her phone rings; it's her mom. As she listens, a family tragedy turns the happy moment into shock and sadness.
Moments like these show us how quickly life can change and how our future can shift in a moment. When everything is turned upside down, how do we respond?
What brings on this upheaval? Sometimes, new or shocking news can suddenly turn our lives upside down. It can feel like being hit by a truck—everything familiar is gone, and we may feel lost or in crisis. Our plans are put on hold, and we find ourselves off the path we expected. Whether the loss is about health, money, personal life, or work, it deeply affects our lives and emotions.
During times like these, you might wonder what to do next. I wrote this letter to support you through life’s unexpected storms and to share ways you can find peace and healing. There may not be easy answers, but some ideas can help you get through tough times with strength.
Let’s begin with the basics: breathe, drink, and eat.
When you feel stressed, try deep, slow breathing to help calm yourself.
Drink plenty of water. Try to avoid coffee or other stimulants, as they can make you feel more overwhelmed. Too much alcohol can also be harmful.
Eat enough to keep up your strength, but try not to overeat.
Accept Help
You may need some time alone to process your feelings, but having the right people around you can help you keep going.
Sometimes, a trusted doctor can help connect you with a mental health professional for support. This might include medication to help you through a tough time. Try to show kindness and appreciation, even if help is misguided.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help with stress by keeping your attention on the present and noticing your thoughts and feelings.
You can find many resources online or from professionals to help you practice mindfulness.
Professional counselors and support groups can give you help and a place to build this skill.
Take a Chance
You might believe in a higher power, or you might not. Either way, try something new and ask God for help. You may be surprised by what happens.
Do you have friends you trust? If not, start building new relationships. It takes time and effort to create strong connections that can lead to good things.
It can be hard to keep going when you’re in a crisis. Take a chance and believe that the light ahead could mean hope, not more pain. Give life another chance to get better.
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H Mark Taylor is an Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker with the Maxwell Leadership Team.
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My Storm
God beckoned me into the boat, and so I climbed aboard.
I trusted we, smooth sailing be, and smiled about the chord.
But soon, the waves and winds were rough, the weather was a gale.
I looked around, but God was gone, and so began to bail.
In due time, the water rose, my ankles, then my knees.
There was no time to raise a prayer or think about the breeze.
Then suddenly, upon the waves, a figure walked and came.
He stopped and watched my flailing arms, and then he called my name.
“Step out of that sinking boat and walk a bit towards me.”
I did, I sank, he grabbed my hand, and suddenly the sea
was like glass and so I stood upon the sandy beach.
I wondered at his hand in mine, God within my reach.
