This is part 6 of 6 in the Sound Mind Series.

I am over here having a vulnerable moment as we close out the Sound Mind Series with week 6. And I am here to remind you that being mentally and spiritually strong does not mean never feeling weak or never having strong emotional reactions to the tough things in your life.

I got some hard news a couple of weeks ago. I will share more details when I’m able to. (My family is all healthy and okay.) Some days have been fine, and others I have felt really down. 

There are the unknowns we are conditioned to, used to the rub on our psyches. When new unknowns come along, it’s like learning to walk all over again, to exercise creaky old faith muscles and find our footing in the knowable grace and wisdom of God.

For the last two weeks the mantra I have repeated to soothe my soul has been, God is sovereign. 

The word “sovereign” shows up almost 300 times in modern translations of the Bible, and most of the time, it is paired with the word “Lord." Sovereign Lord. His very name indicates his position in relation to me. Despite that, in his generosity, he has given me the choice to live like he is sovereign or not. I can live like I know he is working in and through everything unseen in my life, or not. I can submit my heart and its willful desires for my life and my family, or not.

It’s not lost on me that we are wrapping up our Sound Mind series at the same time I have been challenged in my own mind. But It’s been a reminder that we practice our faith, we practice surrender, we practice gratitude, so that it’s there when we need it. It becomes our second skin, the way we interact with God and others.

When you get bad news or are faced with a trial, you do not have to stuff down how you feel and pretend you are doing fine. You can be honest with yourself, with God, and hopefully with others in your life. You can choose to practice right through it using the tools you already know.

Here are some of the things I do when I get bad news…

• Get the feelings out, as needed

• Pray and ask close people to pray with me

• Stay on top of my healthy routines like Bible reading, good bedtime, lots of water

• Get outdoors and get exercise

• Make space for friends and social activities even if I don’t want to

• Get advice and wisdom as needed from a mentor, pastor, counselor, etc.

• Stay away from media that feels heavy, scary, etc. to not feed that part of my brain

If you are in a season of relative calm and ease, use this opportunity to develop deeper trust, to cement the Godly habits that strengthen you. If you are in a tough season, know that you are not alone and that God is walking through it with you. Having a sound mind is your privilege as a child of God. Let's walk it out together.