Tips on moving forward when life changes course

“I am making everything new.”

— Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

When moving forward, sometimes we get stuck on what we once had. To go forward seems overwhelming and depressing. Just ask anyone who has lost a loved one or a job.

I’d like to share some inspirations that were life changing for some of my readers.

Never be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes people are afraid to ask for help because they think they may be a burden to someone else. Being full of pride can be a deterrent to reaching out to another for aid. It’s sad to think that because of these reasons someone’s needs go unmet.

When Moses was weak and tired while fighting a battle, he asked two of his closest companions to help hold his hands up. Doing so, they won the battle. Asking for help also benefits the helper, because God blesses us when we help one another. Some of my readers were blessed when they stepped out and asked for help.

“Plan B is the better plan” was another impactful inspiration. What can you do when plan A fails? Move on to plan B. Plan A was just a process of elimination. I once had a job I really liked that didn’t work out. I was disappointed. But then I discovered a new one that worked out much better. God is using his plan to construct our lives for good. His is not the fallback plan, but the primary one.

Our losses lead us to a new normal. Whenever change comes, we adjust by developing a new normal. When putting back together the pieces of our lives we must understand that the new normal is a day-to-day process. Oftentimes, we think our adjustment should be quick or easy, but most times it is not.

Start with simple things. Go through the motions when your emotions don’t support you. Continue to take care of yourself, keep a daily routine, get some activity; it helps fight depression. Try something new. You might try going to church, or joining a community club. Volunteering to help someone else may help you make new friends and learn new things. Learning a new normal means a change in lifestyle, and as we adjust and grow, we become richer for the experience.

I hope these tips help you move forward to a new way of living and a path of peace, health, and prosperity!

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author of the book “Letters To A Friend,” speaker, life and writing coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com.