I’m thrilled about the direction my life is headed, but a month ago I was too sick and worn down to make such a statement. Do you feel beat up by life? By illness? By grief? As I did, you probably are looking for a comeback, for a way to get back in the game – and on top of your game. How do we do that? What measures must we take?
As I look back over the past year, I find four principles that instigated my turnaround.
* Believe in a Comeback. We must have faith that a comeback is possible. Sounds simple enough, but when we’ve been repeatedly beaten up by circumstances, we begin to lose hope sometimes. We feel stuck. We can’t see a way out, and so we may stop looking for an escape route. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” Our battle’s first stop is our own mind.
* Strategize a Comeback. Our problems can become quite complicated. To untangle the issues, create a plan of attack. For seven months, I thought my health problems would go away. I finally decided they wouldn’t until I took a new course of action. I wrote down my symptoms – all eight of them! – and then formulated a strategy to address each one, one by one.
* Enlist Support for a Comeback. We need fuel as our reserves are being tapped. We need the emotional support of a spouse and / or a friend, and we may need a professional. I sought out help from three doctor offices after accepting that I couldn’t produce solutions on my own. I spent a lot of money, but I was rewarded with better health.
* Let God Regulate the Timing of a Comeback. Regardless of what measures we take, we must be realistic – we cannot completely control outcomes. If we do not accept this, we will be disappointed. I’ve tried to relieve myself of chronic fatigue for 18 years, and I’ve asked God why he won’t fix me, but recently I told him, “If I have to be sick to know you better, OK.” Incredibly, a few weeks after reaching this milestone – an attitude I couldn’t have conjured – the medicine I’m taking for new symptoms began restoring my energy, too. What an incredibly wonderful side effect!
A few months ago, I wondered how I was going to find the “oomph” to work. And then last week, the publisher I work with asked me to add editing a new magazine to my list of responsibilities. Pumped by new energy cascading through my body, I happily agreed. What incredible timing God has!
I see life as a series of relapses and comebacks. Ups and downs. Ultimately, we cannot control our circumstances. Our friends walk away. Our bodies wear out. Our loved ones die and leave us with aching hearts. We fall into depression. But when we believe God wants to revive our spirits, we can enlist his support and trust his timing for a comeback, no matter what is going on around us.
I hope today you’ll start to believe in a comeback and keep believing in a comeback. Your turnaround is just ahead!
What is your most memorable comeback? Will this fuel your belief in another one?
Copyright © 2017 by Toni Lepeska. All rights reserved. www.tonilepeska.com
Very encouraging post, Toni. Helpful steps. Thanks!
Thank you, Betts!
Great post. I can feel your renewed energy and strength in your words. So glad you are doing better. Will definitely pass this on.
Thank you, Sheryl. Your a wonderful friend and supporter.
I think I’m in the I believe a comeback is possible but still waiting phase! I appreciate your encouragement!
That’s great news, Michelle, that you believe, that you still have expectant hope. I’m glad my experience helped encourage you. The waiting is the hard part, but I know God will walk with you in the wait.