When Plan A doesn't work, move on

"I am making everything new."

­- Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

When moving forward, never be afraid to ask for help.

Sometimes people are afraid to ask for help because 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 he asked two of his closest companions to help hold his hands up, so they could win the battle. Asking for help benefits the helper as well, because God blesses us when we help one another.

Help can come in many forms, including a compassionate pastor, priest, teacher or life coach or counselor. Sometimes you need to go to an agency of some kind to ask for help.

Another reminder is what can you do when plan A fails? You can move on to plan B. Plan A was just a process of elimination. How many plan A's I've experienced in my life that have failed and led me to a better plan. I once had a job that didn't work out. I discovered a new one that worked out much better over time. God's is using his plan to construct our lives for good. His plan is not the secondary, fallback plan, but the primary one. One of my sons moved to plan B two years ago regarding a health challenge and is now reaping the benefit.

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's anything but that. 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 fights depression. Try something new. Start going to church, try a community club, volunteer to help someone else and make some new friends.

Learning a new normal means a change in lifestyle as we adjust and grow we become richer for the experience.

Using these tips can help us move forward to a new way of living.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak at your church or group, or coach you individually. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413; P.O. Box 532, Grayslake, IL 60030; or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.