How to Cope When Life Gets You Down - Dig in both heels when life gets messy.

 

They say when life gets troublesome to buy a helmet to protect you from the

onslaught of debris that comes towards you. Be it life's daily hassles or the occasional "gotcha" moments of extreme challenges, life can really blow your mind! We are divided people when it comes to being rich, being poor, being married or being single. But we share something in common over the great divide of economic class or martial status. It is called "pain" and it is a component of everyone’s life. We can make the decision to not allow external circumstances to crush us. As we tap into our inner strength we can rise above the arduous challenges that tend to work to sink our morale. There will be tests through people and through our problems. This is where we need to make the choice to alter our perspective when interruptions happen. Take a moment to pause and restrategize on how to better cope when life simply stinks. We hope the following tips will offer you hope when life gets you down.

Life is messy.

No one said the road is easy or will be easy. Once we can accept that we can't control everything around us, it will be better down the road. Let's get real for a minute--you can’t pick your family, your genealogy or your next-door-neighbor. We have no control over death, the weather, the traffic or ending global poverty. We need to trust that there is a bigger picture. We are not saying that trials are good and they are not inevitably sent by God to harm us. We can find this hope “I will remember them, and my soul downcast within me. Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope," according to Lamentations. It reminds us to have the anticipation that we will get through when life does not make sense. If you don’t proceed, you may never know what good things are ahead.

Change your thought life.

Transforming your thought life involves the way you live. Your thoughts will dictate your emotions. Our feelings are up and are down on any given day. If we are feeling bad about ourselves we might feel worse if our thoughts are tanking. In life, it is vital that we understand the power of our thoughts and our thought life. For example, when a bad thought comes into your head, switch it out for a more positive one like "I can make it." Clear out your negative thoughts to remain focused on the positive.

Choose your words wisely.

Life coach and author Dr. Cindy Trimm explained that your thoughts penetrate the very molecule of our being and what you think will set up your day. You have the choice to use your thoughts for the good or for the bad. "What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it, " she said. "When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever." Let your words be something beneficial. When we are feeling down positive declarations can be said to hoist you up. Our words shape our world, so make it a peaceful one.

Hush your inner critic.

We tend to internalize bad things when they happen. People will say unkind things or circumstances might be surreal in general. Recognize that it is OK to communicate and vent about a respective situation. We just get into more of an irrational jumble when self-doubt comes along that you are a failure or life is over as you know it when things happen. These are false, faulty and misleading inner noises that need to be drowned.

Get a shot of self-esteem.

One thing holds true when you are going through a lot of stuff, your self-esteem takes a punch. Despite what you read or watch on television, everyone has imperfections. Go do something for yourself like getting your hair done or your makeup done. Build a list of all your great values and keep it handy when you are feeling down. Dr. Linda Mintle shared on Beliefnet that you need to have these positive counter-statements to your negative thoughts. "Practice saying the positive statements," she shared. "Here’s one I give my kids when they tell me they can’t do something, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Is this all things? Yes, so you can do it." Another thing for your self-esteem is to love yourself. Going through hard times should not destroy it.

Spend time with positive people.

Find people to lift you up and support you during your life trials. When we are grappling in our personal lives for solid ground, we need people to cheer us on, not add to it. Talk with people who have been through rocky patches. Ask them to share their experience and advice on how to tackle the circumstance. Being alone prevents you from finding strength through a community that will support you. It is during this time that you require people the most.

Use tough times to encourage you.

When you take tough times to heart, it will make it harder to bounce back. Use this

as motivation to tackle the situation from another angle. Your potential actually increases when we are disappointed or hurt, Life Hack explained. "Every failure experience you have since the most painful events in life often give us the most valuable experiences and dramatic growth." You can turn a corner and use this season of your life as an excuse to grow mentally and to grow spiritually.

 

Sometimes life is a soul crusher if we are truly honest with ourselves and with others. There is little sunshine when you are hit with multiple dilemmas. It makes sense that you might be feeling pretty down. But you can shine a spotlight on any inner gloom or tragedy by pressing on and digging both heels into the hope that this bad time will also pass.

Corine Gatti-Santillo is a freelance digital journalist, editor, and content producer. She is also the The Christian Post Voices Editor. She is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com.