Remember the aftereffects or emotions you felt as you’ve experienced life?
What we experience after an event is powerful!
It is so powerful that it can actually change our lives. For better or worse, if we let it.
Think about it:
There was the silliness of a friend that came over that kept you laughing all night long.
There was the first kiss from that special boy that made your stomach sick with love for days.
And don’t forget the perfect prom dress that kept you spinning in your heels for hours on in.
There was the “I do!” that kept you dreaming for days of the happily-ever-after.
And that moment you found out your were expecting when all the emotions of happiness and fearfulness consumed you for nine months.
Oh what fond memories with precious moments? To remember the emotion takes you back to that place. You can feel the joy that was created as if you were there again. It’s amazing how powerful our memories are.
But events and emotions that flooded my soul after some circumstances changed me forever. In a messy good kind of way as I wrestled through the aftereffects.
Moments that change our lives are more dramatic.
Finding out your best friend betrayed you and you spend years not trusting anyone.
When your child is born with a disability and you blame yourself the rest of your life.
Coming to realize that your spouse has been having an affair and your world flips upside down for you and your children.
Handing a man on the street corner a sandwich, you listen to his story then lay awake all night disturbed realizing that “there by the grace of God go I.”
Walking among the poverty in Guatemala and seeing children digging through trash to survive leaves you up nights on end seeing their faces in your dreams.
Life is an experience for sure. But it’s what we do with the emotions and days after we experience something that forms our lives.
How do you handle the aftereffects of life?
Do you let the circumstances define you or do you master the circumstances?
NOTE: Because the poverty in Guatemala messed me up so, I’m headed back on a mission trip in October. YOU’RE INVITED TOO! For more info click here or to register CLICK HERE. 1. click apply/do not check group 2. register as an individual. Please hold off on booking your airfare until I have firm confirmation of which airport we will be using.
Linking up with a community of writers over at Lisa-Jo Baker’s as we reflect on the word “after.”
Good stuff! Yes, how do you handle the aftereffects There is no one answer-all situations require their own handling. Be blessed:)
What a powerful challenge, Alene! It’s not The Happenings but what we do After The Happenings. Oh, I need to remember that His grace IS sufficient. And covers all. I love that Guatemala affected you so deeply that you are already going back!
I love that “After the Happenings!” Guatemala was on my heart and now I know why. So thankful God is allowing me to go back and take others to be a voice for the voiceless. Totally humbled here.
I think I am a little of both…I try to master the circumstances, but sometimes I think they define me. I’m working on that. Thank you for such a thought provoking piece.
I spend my daily work in life and ministry helping others to see that what has happened does not determine what will happen. God can take whatever life has given us to offer Him – and use it in great ways for His Kingdom. He has brought healing in my life….and continues to daily. :) Great reminders..
Amen!!! Thanks for sharing that daily.
What a great take on this prompt! I loved this… so thought-provoking in all the right ways! Praying for your return trip!
Beautiful, I dont handle circumstances well but I am learning :) xx
memory lane, food for thought, all rolled up into a delightful visit at your site!
Oh Alene. First, techy stuff. Whenever you comment on my blog, the link to your blog from the comment section doesn’t work? Just and FYI. Second, I am so ready to hop on the plane and go. Might need some fundraising help. But more than that, I need God to provide some help for my family. As a homeschooling momma, a trip in the middle of competitive soccer season sounds impossible, especially without any family nearby……the “but what about” feel like they are stacking…
I’m headed out of town for a week. I’ll check on that when I get back. Thanks for the heads up. OK praying here. Just in faith. Check out gofundme.com or other sources like that. The cool thing about homeschooling is you can take a couple of days and make up for them. Now, let’s pray for someone family or friend who is willing to care for those precious kiddo’s for 5 days. God has this girl. JUMP! Read “Anything” by Jennie Allen.
Oh Alene, beautiful and true. The good and the bad afters surely change and shape us. I love that God truly, in time, can do amazing things with the hardest stuff of our lives. Bless you!
You are inspiring…thank you for letting your heart bleed for the poor and broken. Still praying, friend. And thank you for this beautiful post. :)
Praying with you. I think God is knocking at your heart. Jump out in fear, but with faith.
Love this post! Love that it’s very thought provoking without a lot of pat answers?!
Girl — I have no answers. Love you and your heart.
Hi Alene! Stopping by from SITS! Working in ministry prepares us for circumstances. Ministry should prepare, but never make us numb or indifferent. If anything our compassion for people in general should grow more and more. That’s what ministry is all about, us loving the world just as Jesus did and acting on it. Thanks so much for doing your part in making God’s Kingdom go Alene! Have a blessed rest of your weekend!
{Melinda} The answer to that question is that sometimes it depends on the day! It really takes a conscious effort to ask for the Holy Spirit to help me not allow my contentment to ride on the ups and downs of whatever is happening in my life and with my kids! It’s also a challenge to not harden yourself due to life’s circumstances at times so that you don’t feel anything. That’s not healthy either. It comes back to relying on the Holy Spirit. I can do nothing without Him. Everytime I think I can, life tends to kick my butt! :)
Yup – I’ve had my butt kicked a few times — OK many times!! Trying to get the “after’s” right here.