What happens when the signal light is broken and the red light is triggered again and again? You know you cannot stay in this place forever, but it may certainly feel like you are going to be in this place way longer than you want.
Seeing a packed intersection and a broken signal light might just cause us to do a u-turn and take a completely different route. You might even just return home or determine that you don’t need whatever it was you were traveling for.
One could argue that avoidance is good because it decreases the chances of getting into a car wreck, road rage, or any other type of incident that might occur while you wait to go through the line of cars at the intersection. However, avoiding the area could lead to worse problems and could definitely take you off the course that God has planned for you. Stay the course.
The stoplight is out and you cannot change that. This is true, but your triggers you can learn to control. It will take time and with all the cars pulling through the intersection much focus and patience while you wait, but eventually you will make it through too.
BetterHelp reminds us that “there are many ways to quiet your mind and your body to reduce stress” so in between each red light and while you are still in the intersection consider:
Listening to calming or relaxing music
Practice mindfulness
Spend some time sitting with the uncomfortable feelings
Then visit with your therapist or a trusted friend for further support.
And, in the meantime talk to Jesus. He’s pretty good at helping us navigate the red lights and stay on the road He has planned for us.
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the reminder that sometimes red lights can be associated with a broken stoplight. We do not ever want to lose sight of or avoid the road that you have planned for us, so help us to stay the course and on the road specifically designed for us. Please gently guide us to the right tools and resources for us, so that we may continue to drive towards more peace, trust, strength and discipline in our lives. Amen.
Ya'll have a beautiful day!
All My Love,
Jen
Sources for this article:
BetterHelp Editorial Team. (2023). Avoidance coping tactics in psychology. BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/behavior/10-strategies-for-avoidant-coping/
For more information about Get Strong with Jen! click here.
To view 30 Days of Prayer for PTSD - Day 5 click here.
