A pastor trained in trauma and grief counseling commented, “The greatest challenge for hurting people is often not the immediate heartache of the loss. Instead, the biggest problem is adjusting to a different kind of life that follows. What was once normal may never be normal again. So the challenge is to assist and help the person to adjust to a “new normal.”
As Christians, we need to learn the Bible principles (marked below with *) of a new beginning or a new normal. Forget what is behind and face (a new normal) that is before you (Phil. 3:13). There are times for new beginnings and times to face a new normal. Something major may unexpectedly happen, and your life will never be the same again. What happened has happened! You cannot “unhappen” it. Some things are just unchangeable and unfixable. You did not cause it. You cannot cure it. You think, “If only I had…” “I will…” or “Why?” None of these, even if known, will change what happened. Remember, fear fades faith – faith fades fear. Choose faith.
You must adjust and accept a new normal. *Job first looked at what and why, but finally looked to Who. He faced a new normal saying, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). As *Job, stop trying and start trusting. *Paul prayed three times for his “thorn” to be removed, but it remained. He accepted his new normal. He learned that God’s grace was sufficient for whatever he faced. God may not still your storm, but He can still you in your storm. Later he stated, “I have learned, in whatsoever state (all situations) I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11). *Peter learned the results of responding. “…After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10).
If you stop resisting and respond, afterward you will become sweeter, stronger and more sensitive. As Corrie ten-Boom said, “Put them in the sea of forgetfulness, then put up a no fishing sign.” Many others faced and overcame what you now face. So can you. Learn that life continues. The earth still spins, the winds still blow, the sun still shines, rivers still flow, clocks still tick, you still breathe, and you still live. Stop resisting – Start responding. Adjust and accept your new normal.
While you wait, God works all things together for your good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). As Job, Paul, and Peter, adjust and accept your new normal. Know that as you face the unknown, the known God will be with you (Heb. 13:5). Afterward your new beginning and new normal will become normal. This principle is also good for America.
What once was may never be again, so we must adjust and accept a new normal.
