By Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew
It’s the holiday season, a time of happiness, family and sharing time with those we love. Yet, there is such a dichotomy going on at the same time. I had a few minutes to scroll through Facebook to witness this occurring: I saw graduations, births of babies, and celebrations. I also saw the announcement of deaths, hospitalizations, and illnesses as well. How can both of these realities exist at the same time?
The reality is that life is filled with polar opposites existing at the same time. It can be disorienting to balance between moments of happiness and sadness.
We accept these differences in relationships of people being diametrically opposite but it’s often hard for us to see this in our existence. It’s important that when we endure these experiences that we are grounded. Otherwise, we can become off balanced. When we fail to remain centered, our balance is skewed and it can be easy to get hurt or hurt others because we have lost our footing.
Sometimes in life, we are hit with moments that knock us off of our feet. It’s important to realize that if we keep moving, we can hurt ourselves. It’s okay to stop, acknowledge the pain and take a break, if necessary, to recuperate.
For many of us, we continue to fall, remain off-balance and lose our center because we don’t ask for help. You don’t have to do this life alone. Life isn’t’ fair or easy. God never said it would be. Good times and tough times co-exist. The Bible says, “For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike.” (Matthew 5:45 CSB)
The Bible reminds us that life has cycles that we must pay attention to:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Recognizing this doesn’t make it easier but it does help us to center our hope not in ourselves but in an all-knowing Father who is there throughout every season. God knew from the beginning of time that these experiences would be a part of our journey. It is our hope, our faith, and love that will keep us afloat when the storms hit us and rest assured, they will. We hold on to these scriptures to guide us through, to center us and help our balance even when we are shaky:
- “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:5-6)
It’s inevitable that we will experience change in our lives from joy to grief. It’s important to know what is anchoring you through those moments. No matter the season, take God with you so that you can stand even when the storm is strong.
Remember, that despite the joy that the holidays bring for many are also a time of pain for others. Be kind, patient, consistent in checking in, offer love and support. Many need this right now.
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation (r2fdn.org). She is also the author of four books including Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy and the host of the Tapestry podcast.
