When the storms of life are raging, self-care can be the last thing on your mind. You’re exhausted from caring for everyone else and trying to keep everything together. Here are 8 self-care tips to help you ride out the storm.
We all will face unexpected storms of life.
Some are minor or expected, and we weather them easily. Others are vast or unexpected and leave us feeling battered and bruised.
But whether the storm is big or small, we must find a way to get through them.
The best way to get through the storms of life is to take on only what is in your control and let God control the rest.
Most notably, your self-care is in your control and is essential during life’s storms.
This is especially true if you’re taking care of others.
Not only does it help you maintain wellness until the storm is over, but proper self-care can aid your navigation and keep your mind clear, and your body rested when difficult decisions need to be made.
Although it’s not the first thing you probably think about, you have the potential to learn and grow from the experience.
The Storms of Life Cause Venturing Into the Unknown
The unknown can be scary!
But, you often open yourself up to new possibilities and relationships that turn out to be good. And it is usually while you face these difficulties in your life that you find the strength and skills you never knew you had.
You can’t always prevent trouble from entering your life, but you can manage how you react to it.
Taking good care of yourself can help you get through the storms of life and stay well physically, emotionally or mentally, and spiritually.
The struggles you face in life are not easy to overcome, but with self-care, leaning on your faith, and knowing your worth and value, it is possible to get through the storm.
So let’s talk about these things!
Storms of Life Meaning
‘When the storms of life are raging’ can have both metaphorical and literal meanings.
When people talk about storms in life, they can refer to the weather – the storms that come and go in your life, or they can be referring to the difficulties and challenges that life throws your way.
Either way, storms are a natural part of life.
And like the weather, they can be unpredictable and sometimes even dangerous.
But they can also be beautiful and exhilarating. Much as a thunderstorm can fill the sky with light and color, storms in life can bring new opportunities and experiences.
For example:
- Someone who experiences job loss may apply for something new and discover their dream job.
- Someone who must relocate to another city finds their spouse or a new best friend in the new site.
But, sometimes, when the storms of life are raging, it can feel like the lowest point in your life. This is especially true after deep loss or grief.
So, it’s imperative to remember that the storms of life are temporary.
Storms of Life Examples
Examples of the storms of life include:
- Deep loss and grief
- Relationship problems
- Financial loss
- Life-changing illnesses or accidents
- The need for caregiving
While examples are different for everyone, they all have the potential to cause immense challenges.
- Deep loss and grief may lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
- Relationship problems may cause communication breakdowns, conflict, and mistrust.
- Financial loss may cause stress, anxiety, and difficulty paying bills.
- Life-changing illnesses may cause physical pain, psychological distress, and financial strain.
- The need for caregiving may interfere with a sense of independence for the loved one and strain the spouse or family if the family provides the caregiving.
Self-care Tips to Help You Overcome When the Storms of Life Are Raging
Our lives can be full of storms.
Sometimes there are the storms of your basic daily living – the challenges, deadlines, and demands that can leave you feeling depleted and stressed.
Other times there are unexpected storms – the illnesses, deaths, and other losses that can rock your world and leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Regardless of the storm that you’re facing, self-care is always important.
Self-care is not selfish; it is an act of self-love and self-preservation. When you take care of yourself, you become better equipped to weather the storms of life.
8 Self-care Tips to Overcome the Storms of Life:
By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to withstand the storms that come your way. So, remember the 8 self-care tips I’ve listed below.
1 Get Plenty of Sleep
When you’re tired, you’re more susceptible to stress and more likely to make mistakes. Sleep is vital to your physical, mental, and emotional health. So ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep every night.
A good night’s sleep helps improve your mood and gives your body a chance to recover from the day’s stressors.
When well-rested, you make wiser decisions, even when the choices are not favorable.
2 Eat as Healthy as You Can
Eating nutritious foods helps improve your energy levels and immune system and helps your body better withstand stress.
Avoiding simple carbs and junk food can improve your sleep quality even when the storms of life are raging.
3 Take Regular Breaks
It’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day to rejuvenate your mind and body. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break from whatever is causing you stress.
Take a walk, read for a while, or just take some time for yourself.
Even if it’s just a five-minute break to stretch or getting outside for a breath of fresh air, taking some time for yourself will help you recharge and be better prepared to handle whatever comes your way.
Aim to have at least 15 minutes of me-time daily.
It can be stressful and overwhelming when you begin improving your self-care, and many people also feel guilty when they start taking time for themselves – especially during the storms of life.
So, I made this FREE faith-based guide to help you get started.
Be sure to grab yours!
4 Reach Out to Your People
Self-care isn’t meant to be done all by yourself!
Connect with supportive friends and family members. Talking to someone who understands what you’re going through can be very helpful.
The people who know you best can provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a friendly text message when you need it most.
These relationships provide you with emotional support and enhance your sense of well-being.
5 Manage Stress
Managing stress can help you feel more in control of your life and better handle difficult situations. So, practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.
These techniques help reduce stress levels and promote calmness and peace.
6 Move Around
Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. It’s also a great way to blow off some steam and reduce stress levels.
7 Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
If you have a medical condition, follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan and take any medications as prescribed. When the storms of life are raging, there’s a greater temptation to skip necessary treatments or medications.
Continuing your disease or symptom management protocols are a must.
8 Spend Quiet Time with the Lord Daily
Allowing God to fill you with His peace and strength when the storms of life are raging can be a game-changer. Set aside time each day for quiet reflection and prayer. If possible, start and end your day this way.
Read Scripture daily to keep God’s truths in front of you.
This time can help you center yourself and provide a sense of peace amid life’s storms. Leaning on the Lord can help you stay positive and keep moving forward even during the most difficult time in your life.
How Does God’s Truth Help You Withstand the Storms of Life?
It can be easy to feel lost and alone when the storms of life are raging.
The Word of God is a lamp unto your feet, giving you direction when you feel lost.
Biblical truth is a strong foundation that gives you the confidence to get through any storm. You can turn to Scripture for guidance and strength when you feel overwhelmed.
Additionally, God’s truth is a source of hope amid darkness. It can remind you that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that your trials will one day end.
Scripture also says God is always with you.
When the storms of life are raging, lean into your faith to help you remember that you aren’t facing the storm alone.
Remembering this can bring you comfort at the hardest moments.
Storms of Life in the Bible
Scripture is full of stories about storms.
For example, the story of Joseph teaches us about patience and endurance. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but he remained faithful to God and was eventually able to use his talents to help save his people from famine.
The story of Job teaches us how to cope with tragedy. Job lost everything he had, but he remained faithful to God and was eventually rewarded for his loyalty.
Some stories are about less famous people who experience difficulty in basic daily living.
These stories serve as a reminder that God remains faithful no matter what storms you face in life.
Lean on Your Faith in the Storms of Life
Faith is believing in something when there is no evidence to support it. It is confidence in something you cannot see or fully understand.
Faith is what gets you through the storms of life. It keeps you going when you feel like you can’t go on anymore.
Faith trusts God even when you can’t see what He is doing. It is holding onto hope even when everything around you seems hopeless.
What are Spiritual Storms?
Spiritual storms often come about when you face challenges that force you to grow and change spiritually to overcome the storm.
They can be painful, but they can also be transformative. They can equip you for future storms of life.
Examples of spiritual battles include having doubt or experiencing temptation.
Doubting God is real, His presence, His faithfulness, or feeling tempted to do something out of your character can cause you to feel shameful and unworthy of asking for God’s help, but spending time with the Lord can be one of the most beneficial activities during a spiritual storm.
Talking to a spiritual leader or mentor can offer more direction, encouragement, and support. You do not have to go through a spiritual storm on your own.
Trusting God in the Storms of Life
It can be easy to feel lost and alone during life’s storms.
But as a Christian, you can take comfort in knowing God is always with you. You can turn to Scripture for guidance and strength when you feel overwhelmed.
When you trust in God, you can find peace and strength amid the storm. You know He is still in control and will ultimately bring good out of your trials.
Trusting God doesn’t mean that the storm will instantly go away, but it does mean that you don’t have to face it alone.
You can lean on Him for comfort and support during the storm.
Standing Firm in the Storms of Life
Standing firm in the storms of life can be difficult. It is easy to lose confidence when we are facing difficult challenges.
However, we can solidify our self-confidence by connecting with the Lord. The Lord is always with us, He will never leave or abandon us, and He will help us overcome any challenges we face.
Additionally, many storms are not our fault. We may have done everything right, but sometimes storms just happen. They are simply a part of life and can help us grow and become stronger.
Finally, we need to remember that we are protected. The Lord is our Shield and our Fortress, and He will always be there to defend us.
Standing firm in the storms of life is possible when we trust in the Lord and remember that He is always with us.
Knowing that you have an eternity with God can help you get through the tough times. If you make time for regular Bible study, you will be better prepared to face difficulties that come your way.
Remember Your Worth and Value
Surviving the storm is not about being perfect; it’s about having the strength to keep going, even when things are tough. Trusting that the Lord is with you and will never leave you will keep you strong.
When storms of life last a long time, exhaustion can cloud your thinking. You may start to think you don’t deserve peace in your life, that you aren’t worthy of the fight, or that you deserve the bad outcome and should give up.
You may believe that no one cares.
But God cares. He cared so much about you that He created you.
He is the one who knit you together. God knows every hair on your head and loves you more than you can comprehend.
You are so valuable to God that He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins!
Remember how valuable and worthy you are to the Father. Staying close to God will help you know your significance, motivating you to keep going and overcome the storm.
Lessons From the Storms of Life
You often learn the most about yourself during the darkest of storms.
When you face adversity, you are forced to dig deep and find the strength and courage that you never knew you had. You develop resiliency and adaptability, qualities that will serve you well long after the storm has passed.
Each storm offers us an opportunity to learn and grow. Even so, lessons from the storms of life can be difficult to learn.
Most prefer to avoid storms or deny that they exist.
But the truth is, you will face storms in your life.
We all will.
Surviving the Storms of Life
While surviving the storms of life can be difficult, remember that you do not have to go through it alone.
People care about you and want to help you through this tough time. And God will never leave you.
The most important thing is never to give up.
By following these self-care tips, leaning on your faith, and knowing your worth and value, you can give yourself the best chance to overcome whatever challenges come your way!
It can be stressful and overwhelming when you begin improving your self-care, and many people also feel guilty when they start taking time for themselves.
So, I made this FREE faith-based guide to help you get started. Be sure to grab yours!
Encouraging Scripture Verses about the Storms of Life
- Psalms 9:9-10 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
- 1 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
- James 1:2-5 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
- Isaiah 4:6 It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain.
Encouraging Storms of Life Quotes
- We all have life storms, and when we get the rough times and we recover from them, we should celebrate that we got through it. No matter how bad it may seem, there’s always something beautiful that you can find. Mattie Stepanek
- I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott
- You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Joseph B. Wirthlin
- I don’t think that you can let the storms of life overwhelm you. When you do that, you are no better than the craziness that caused you to be under attack. T. D. Jakes
- If we have built on the fragile cornerstones of human wisdom, pride, and conditional love, things may look good for a while, but a weak foundation causes collapse when storms hit. Charles Stanley
- Storms of every sort, torrents, earthquakes, cataclysms, ‘convulsions of nature,’ etc., however mysterious and lawless at first sight they may seem, are only harmonious notes in the song of creation, varied expressions of God’s love. John Muir
- You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Joseph B. Wirthlin
You can read more at brainyquote.com/topics/storms-quotes
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Hi, I’m Lisa! Thanks for visiting My Life Nurse, where we provide people who serve and take care of others with easy self-care plans and systems, wellness strategies, and scripture-based encouragement so you can stay happy, healthy and rejuvenated. I’ve found that many people struggle with caring for themselves while taking care of others, but they also feel called to serve others, so they keep working even when they’re stressed and exhausted. That’s why I combine my nursing expertise with Scripture-based teaching. Our readers love learning how to walk closer to the Lord to improve their self-care – so they can begin their journey to feel better – without feeling guilty. Be sure to grab your FREE Self-care StarTer Guide!