Navigating Unexpected Pauses

Few years ago, life forced me into an unexpected pause. At first, I thought I could handle it. But as the months dragged on, the uncertainty grew heavier. I felt trapped and anxious. My mind raced with questions: How would I keep our business afloat? Should I take on a temporary job just to get by? Would my husband recover? The unknown loomed became so large, and I struggled to see past it.

It all began during the pandemic. The world took a collective pause, and so did our plans. Our café, which we had poured our hearts into, had to shut its doors—not by choice, but by necessity. With that closure came financial stress, business debts, and a future that looked more uncertain by the day. Our events business, once thriving, was suddenly at a standstill. As a business owner, I felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.

And then, just when I thought things couldn't get more difficult, another pause arrived. My husband fell ill and was bedridden for four months. Our 'husband and wife team'—the kind of partnership that had seen us through every challenge—was suddenly reduced to just a one man team. I felt paralyzed by the responsibility of keeping everything together, terrified by the thought of navigating this storm alone.

I was scared, and the reason for that fear ran deep. You see, ever since my husband and I got engaged, we did everything together. We built the business as a team, homeschooled our kids side by side, faced life's problems, and found solutions together. We were partners; we were the 'dynamic duo.'

The Power of Support

At my lowest, I found unexpected solace in the people around me. Friends who checked in, prayed with me, and stood by my side became a lifeline. They reminded me that I wasn't alone, even when it felt like I was. God's grace often comes through the hands of others, and I began to see how He was working through my support system.

Strength in Faith

In those uncertain days, I turned to scripture, searching for something to hold onto. And I found it. Verses that had once felt familiar now carried new meaning. They anchored me and gave me the strength to push forward. Faith didn't change my circumstances, but it changed me. It gave me endurance.

And yet, through it all, I neglected something crucial: myself.

I was so busy trying to hold everything together—our home, our business, my family—that I forgot to care for my well-being. I didn't realize how much I needed to pause, to take a deep breath, to let go. And when I finally did? When I allowed myself to release the burdens I had been carrying? That moment of surrender changed everything.

Finding Rest

One of those pauses led me to the feet of Jesus. That's when I was reminded of Psalms 73:26:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 (NIV)

That was my turning point. I let go of control and allowed God to take over—completely. And as I did, something shifted. The atmosphere in my home changed. My inner turmoil was replaced with peace. The weight on my shoulders lifted.

Lessons from the Pause

Life's unexpected pauses feel disruptive, but looking back, I see the lessons they carried. Here's what I learned:

1. Lean on Your Support System. You are not meant to go through this alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a trusted mentor. Let them in.

2. Nurture Your Faith. Prayer, scripture, and moments of quiet reflection can be a steady anchor when everything else feels unstable.

3. Embrace the Pause. Slowing down isn't an indicator of failure—it's a chance to reset. Rest, reflect, and find clarity in the stillness.

4. Take Care of Yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. A walk outside, a deep breath, a stolen moment with a good book—these aren't luxuries, they're necessities.

5. Surrender to God. Some things are simply too big to carry alone. When life feels overwhelming, let go and trust that He is guiding the way forward.

Moving Forward

Unexpected pauses can derail our plans, but they also reveal what truly matters. They remind us where our real security lies—not in our schedules, not in our sense of control, but in God's unwavering presence.

So when the next storm comes, let's remember: We don't have to face it alone. We don't have to have all the answers. We just need to trust, breathe, and take the next step forward—one faithful step at a time.

Declare Psalms 46:1 (ESV) in your situation: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble".

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JOURNALING PROMPTS:

Here are two prompts designed to help you reflect and  process your emotions, strengthen your faith, and step forward with renewed confidence.

1. A Letter to My Future Self

Write a letter to your future self, the one who has come through this challenge. Imagine looking back from a place of peace, strength, and clarity. What encouragement would you offer? What lessons do you hope you will have learned? Remind yourself that even in the toughest moments, you were never alone—and that God’s presence was with you every step of the way.

2. A Letter of Release and Renewal

Take a moment to write a letter to yourself right now. Acknowledge the burdens you are carrying—the fears, the uncertainties, the exhaustion. Then, one by one, surrender them. Release them to God, just as you would place them at His feet. End your letter with a declaration of hope, reminding yourself that peace is found not in control, but in trust.

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