So many times in my life, I have fought through moments feeling like if I just ‘pushed’ hard enough, I could make something happen. In some odd way, I felt like I could manipulate my circumstances to make them just so. I think we have all been there. Low moments in life where we just sort of feel like we are ‘floating’ by.

Sometimes it can portray itself as downright feeling low and sad. At times, we know why we feel this way and other times we do not. In finding this STOP method & applying it to my life (Biblically) I have found that it relieves the pressure of feeling like I must control. This method challenges us to reset our thought patterns and focus our hearts on The One who IS in control.

Let this encourage you as you walk out life. While the ‘mountain top’ moments can be so thrilling, I have found that there is growth and lessons to be learned in the low moments too. The mundane moments where we are taught to be steadfast and pursue the truth that is so deeply imbedded in our Spirits in the form of Jesus Christ.

In my younger years, the idea of ‘stopping’ was foreign. You know what I’m talking about. Those years where you run on endless energy and the concept of rest is about equally as foreign. As we walk out this S.T.O.P Method with a Biblical twist, I hope and pray you come to understand the importance of RESTING your mind and heart so that you don’t miss what it is The Lord is trying to teach you. It is all too easy to get caught up in so much noise that we miss the boat.

S.T.O.P. – STOP. OBSERVE. TAKE A BREATH. PROCEED WITH PURPOSE. 

Let’s unpack this together.

STOP: Have you ever had a moment where you were so busy ‘moving’ that you didn’t allow your mind to rest or just absorb simply being silent? When we are low, it is so easy to try to do ANYTHING we can possibly do to feel better & ease the pain. We get caught up in worry, trying to fix our situations and anxiety can plague us. This is an OPPORTUNITY when you feel this way to simply STOP. Scripture teaches us to come to The Lord and find our rest in Him. Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” THE ONLY one that can adequately calm our souls, give us rest, reset our minds and hearts is Christ. I challenge you when you feel the onslaught of the World to come before Him and find the rest you need. 

TAKE A BREATH: I don’t know about you but when I am feeling the pressures of life or stressed, my breathing becomes labored and I feel like it’s hard to take a nice deep breath. As a health Coach, I can so appreciate this emphasis on breathing but sweet Lady Who Loves Christ, I want to challenge you to take it a step further. Psalm 150:6 says “Let everything that has breath praise The Lord”. When you feel the anxiety looming, the stress seeping in…. take this as a sign to deeply  inhale and exhale and sing praises to our King. When we take the time to refocus our attention on giving praise rather than on the ‘worries’ that seem to be all around us, it offers a fresh perspective and you’ll find that you start to feel better. How can we not feel better when we are focused on Jesus?

OBSERVE: Sometimes when we feel low, simply put- we lose an account of what is happening around us (and within us). This is a chance to really focus on what it is you are feeling. What emotions are you feeling? What triggers are you experiencing? Looking at these things from a platonic and worldly perspective will do very little if anything to calm your soul. The JOY that you will experience comes from bringing these things to The Lord (He is a friend, confidant, the satisfier of our very souls) and He longs to give you relief. Proverbs 1:5 says “Let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance.” Ask Him to help you walk out your observations, use these as Prayer opportunities and come before The Lord eager to receive the healing and peace that only He can bring. If you’ve been around ‘Ladies Who Love Christ’ long you know that we put a huge emphasis on PRAYER & PRAISES because this is our direct LIFELINE!

PROCEED WITH PURPOSE: If you read the sign above, you will see some great applicable things to do in terms of proceeding with purpose but for me, I want to talk to you about the deeper LIFE purpose. A purpose and plan that can only be woven (and chosen) by the Creator or our World. The Creator of YOU. You see, one of the greatest things that people struggle with and suffer from is lack of purpose. They don’t know their place or why they’ve been put here on this Earth. Let me encourage you that YOU serve a great purpose in the intricate artwork of Gods masterpiece. Proverbs 16:9 says “In their hearts humans plan their course, but The Lord establishes their steps” … likewise, much unease we feel comes from trying to control our situation, coerce our circumstances or force things to happen. This is an opportunity again (with PRAYER & PRAISE) to bring these things before The Lord. He has a purpose for you. Be diligent in seeking Him. Be faithful when the waiting seems so long. Be consistent in seeking His will and above all, seeking a deep, intimate and true relationship with Him. I am certain that HE WILL reveal your true purpose & the reason for which He placed you on this Earth.

Some more Scriptures to reference: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28

Ladies, I hope and pray this STOP method encourages you to face your low moments from a new angle. Use these times in life to press into the TRUTH that is Christ. HE alone is the ONLY one who can satisfy our souls and bring lasting JOY.

Blessings,

Ashley Poptodorova

Founder, Ladies Who Love Christ