Calming the Chaos
As the year speeds up and we near the end of it, many women of faith, especially creatives and entrepreneurs, feel torn between peace and pressure.
This is something that is weighing heavily on my heart today,and so I have changed what was originally set as this week's topic to explore this closer.
To get started, let me ask you this—how are you feeling right now, this very moment?
Deadlines that are sent for the end of the year feel overwhelming when November hits. A lot of entrepreneurs feel that overwhelm as they rush to meet past holiday demand counts, only to be disappointed that this year is different. Not as many are shopping, a lot simply do not have luxuries they can afford anymore, and now more than ever, every purchase is intentional for survival.
As a small business that sells goods, how do you survive the shift and stay in business? I cannot answer that, as each business differs in their approach. But what I can tell you is what I'm doing. I'm cutting back and only offering what is already existing on my shelves. I'm even reducing it because I am discontinuing a lot of it. I'm taking this time to regroup, shift my focus, and come up with new strategies and designs.
As a writer, you may be trying to meet goals or launch your new book before the holidays. Perhaps you underestimated the bandwidth it would take from you to go fully all in on a successful launch and you are questioning if you will even make it? I cannot tell you that your launch will be a huge success, but what I can tell you is publishing a book is a long game, not a one day event. What matters most is what happens after the launch, so show up as you are with what you've got, and be open to the idea that it may not be a sell out event. Look further down the road and plan out your next year to do events where you sell your book in new ways.
As a woman of faith, you may be feeling the king of chaos as you are tested to your core day after day. I can relate. Lately, I have been struggling to keep the chaos under control as it threatens to rob me of my peace. What I've had to do is remind myself I've worked too hard to instill peace back into my life to allow it to be completely undone. I cannot tell you how to do this with your situation, but I can tell you that I'm starting to be firm in my no's and removing things from my life that are a disservice to me right now.
I want to share with you a simple, yet powerful verse to memorize and use whenever your peace is threatened.
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalms 46:10 NIV
When life is chaotic - be still.
When troubles arise - be still.
When fear or doubt sets in - be still.
When it feels like nothing is going your way - be still.
Friend, there is a spiritual warfare growing stronger every day. If you are a woman of faith and feel like the battle has arrived at your doorstep, it's time to armor up. Wear the full armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:10-18)
The best way to take that chaos off your doorstep and allow peace to return once more is to...be still. Draw nearer to God. Bring Him to your doorstep and as Him to help you find your peace once more.
This time of year gets hectic for everyone. You are not alone in your struggles, for even I have them too. The one thing to remember is that though in this life we may have trouble, Jesus has overcome them all. (See John 16:33)
Armor up, friends. It's turbulent out there right now. But one thing I do know is God will prevail.
Praying for peace within you now more than ever.
With Grace, Shonda Ramsey