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Blogs by Sheri K Hoff
Living Faith During Difficult Times 12/9/2008 5:34:53 PM
Living faith during difficult times. My work is strongly focused on living joyfully. I am questioned at times on how I stay focused on joy during hard, painful times. I remember earlier in my life how I would react to tragedy or loss. I can recall going in circles with my thoughts and trying to figure out how I could make sense of senseless situations. Eventually, I would turn to prayer. The difference now is that I immediately move into prayer. I lift up my life, my family, and my community to God. I pray for peace,release, calm, and direction.
This weekend, my daughter lost a friend when he was struck by a car. This was my thirteen year old daughter's first experience with death and loss. She was, and still is devastated. I feel so deeply for the family who lost their son and for my daughter who will never view life the same again. I was and am able to lift it all up in prayer. Though the loss is still fully present, there is a comfort-a feeling that we are being held in the arms of God.
I know our joy will return and I see glimpses of joy when I look at my dog rolling around in the snow-or my cat basking in the sunlit window-or my son successfully navigating a math problem.
I think it is important to feel the deep, sorrowful emotions. Yet it is equally important to embrace a return of happiness and joy when we are ready. How do we know we are ready? Stay in prayer and listen for the answer. When you feel nudged to action-obey. As a teenager, I lost my brother. I went for months feeling like I did not want to leave my house. Finally, a friend came over and dragged me to a concert. I remember feeling so angry about it-yet, it turned out to be the best thing for me. I am thankful that my friend helped me realize that I needed to start embracing life again.
The challenge is to walk that delicate balance of healing/recovery and then living again. I know God wants us to experience joy and live joyfully.
Sheri Kaye Hoff is a life coach and the author of Keys to Living Joyfully (available on Amazon.com). She has a mastermind group on Facebook for those who want to live an inspired and joyful life http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48824930287
