Most of us are familiar with the unpleasant occurrence of turbulence when flying. I for one am not a fan and usually Vulcan grip the person’s arm next to me whether I know them or not. Yeah, you don’t want to sit next to me on a plane. Recently, my sister Lety was traveling and she felt called to pray when the plane started shaking, asking God to take care of her and handing over her fears and her life to Him. She kindly shared this with me as well as the thought that we often “hit” turbulence on the ground, with difficult situations and people.

I believe we are more apt to start praying when we experience turbulence in the air because we sense a greater loss of control. In reality, we are never in control, on the ground, in the air, or in the sea. Let’s remember to surrender to the Lord at all times, especially when we encounter turbulence.

The fall is marked with major transitions for many folks. Kids going to school, some heading to college for the first time, or they have finished school and they are beginning new jobs. Perhaps you just got married, moved, or recently lost a loved one. It’s a lot to process and it can be very stressful, even if some of these changes are “good.”

Danielle Bean mentioned on her podcast Girlfriends, “3 Ways to Get Through a Big Change” that it is important to do several things during these very challenging times. I have paraphrased them below.

1) Accept how you feel, whatever it is, it’s ok.

• Sometimes we “fight” the feelings and that compounds our stress.    Allowing yourself to feel those uncomfortable feelings is part of the healing.
• Suppressing feelings is not helpful. 
• Acknowledge your loss, it doesn’t mean get stuck in it and wallow, it just means reflect on it.

2) Whatever prayer time you are currently doing, be sure to increase it.

• Add a Novena, daily Mass, Adoration, or evening prayer.
• Anchor yourself to God and ask for His viewpoint and perspective with everything.
• The Surrender Novena is especially powerful and comforting at this time. I highly recommend it.   Surrender Novena

3) Give yourself Space and Grace –  Sometimes we try to “power” through, trying not to rely on anyone, including God, and that speaks of pride.

• Build into your schedule times for rest and refreshment because BIG transitions or difficult times are emotionally and physically draining. 
• Don’t take on activities that are overly challenging in regards to your time and /or energy.
• Don’t beat yourself up for not staying on top of everything in your life. 

4) Look for the Positive in the Situation and in your Life    Write them down every day and praise God for His goodness and faithfulness.

If you are hitting turbulence now, remember to stop wandering around, sit down, fasten your seatbelt, and apply the oxygen to yourself first. This translates to don’t keep flailing about and be still so the Lord can be known to you and fight for you. Communing with God and receiving the Sacraments are the oxygen for our soul. Be kind and patient with yourself as you would for others going through the same thing. Reach out to Jesus, the Divine Physician, Mother Mary who understands your pain, and to your loved ones. Do not be ashamed of obtaining professional help. Most people do at one point or another. It is the courageous and humble that recognize their need for assistance.

But Moses answered the people, “Do not fear! Stand your ground and see the victory the LORD will win for you today. For these Egyptians whom you see today, you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” Exodus 14:13-14

Let’s continue to lift each other up in prayer! We are all in this together and we need each other.