It Really Does Get Better

Though I started this blog, to share the recipes that I am tweaking. I also would like to use this blog to share the life lessons I have learned.

As a teenager, I had a difficult time finding my place in the world. I struggled with the loss of dear friendships, a strained relationship with siblings, a tense relationship with my parents, and an overwhelming confusion about my identity.
While complaining one day that "it was never going to get better." A wise friend informed me that it would get better and that I just had to be patient. When I started college and things were still difficult, I went back to that friend and accusingly said "It still isn't better." Somethings were actually worse. She again replied that I had to be patient and that things would improve.
In the four years since I graduated from High School, I have learned that things really do get better. Situations in life resemble a rollercoaster in many aspects not only the steep inclines but also the times when things are steady. I have experienced many ups and downs. In my down moments I now know the track of life will once again have a positive moment. In my moments of despair, I have learned some coping tools:

1. Prayer
By first praying to God, it has helped to give me peace. I am really concerned with my upcoming biopsy. But every time I begin to worry I remind myself that I am not alone. When all of this first start in April of 2011, I wasn't well informed and I was terrified. As I was begging God to be alright, the words "Up from the grave he Arose" popped into my head and my tears stopped. I immediately brought the song up on my computer and sang it over and over again. If God can conquer death, surely he can conquer whatever problems are present in my life, right?

2. Praise God
 To some this may seem odd. That I would praise God in my moments of despair. In James 1:2-4 the Bible talks about finding joy in our trials. Though I may not always understand why I am going through hard times I am becoming quicker to the realization that God has a reason for testing me. If Job can lose everything and still praise God, shouldn't I also be able to praise God in my dark places? (Not that any of my losses have ever been as great as Job's but how he handled his losses are a great example of how to handle our own losses.)
One of my favorite songs to sing is "Praise you in this storm" by Casting Crowns in moments when I need to remind myself that ultimately God is in control.

3. Encouraging myself.
This is where I think of all of the things that have gotten better in the last few years and I remind myself that if things that seemed hopeless have improved then surely whatever situation I am in will get better as well.