Candidly Christian

Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.

Laura Rath

About Laura Rath

Laura Rath enjoys writing to encourage women in their walk with Christ. She shares stories of her own faith journey on her blog, Journey in Faith, and is a regular contributor for several Christian websites. Laura is a wife and mother and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, going deeply into God’s Word, and speaking at women's events. You can find her on her blog, as well as Twitter and Facebook.

3 Steps to Change Your Focus

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Last summer I went through a season—the kind where sadness wasn’t a stranger. It wasn’t an emergency situation. I also felt happiness and joy, love and a sense of accomplishment; I was active and present where I was. But, I knew the anniversary of the loss of a loved one and stressful situations had me feeling down…and I knew that in time it would pass.

I was reminded that actions and activities can either contribute to (or help improve) melancholy when I scrolled through Facebook one morning. I was already feeling low, for reasons I had on my mental list, when I started seeing photos of close friends with narratives of deep friendship and I felt a familiar sense of longing.

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Letting Go Of The Illusion of Control

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Several weeks ago I was frustrated.

It seemed that no matter how much I got accomplished in a day it didn’t make a dent in all the things I didn’t get done. There were the usual everyday chores, errands that had to be run, home repairs that needed to be scheduled, all the holiday preparation, work, meals… you get the idea. And then someone would ask, “Hey, weren’t you going to _____?” It didn’t matter what it was because it was most likely on the list I hadn’t gotten to yet.

For a few days, I kept wondering why I couldn’t get more done in a day and I had to remind myself that I was doing the best I could. And that was enough. The demands I was putting on myself and letting others put on me were taking their toll.

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How To Stay Positive In A Negative World

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We live in a negative world.

Maybe it’s always been this way but it seems worse because of social media. I don’t really know. But closer to home, I look back and see that I’ve always been surrounded by negative people. I didn’t know any different as I was growing up, but as an adult, I can see it now.

Remember Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh? He was always expecting and waiting for the worst. He’s cute in the stories, but I don’t think I could hang out with him for long periods of time.

And then I realized… I do have Eeyores in my life. I always have. Maybe you do too.

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Fear Is A Bully (But God Is Stronger)

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A few nights ago my daughter and I started talking about the future—our hopes, possible plans, and our fears. Late at night isn’t my best time for this type of conversation, but there we were. I was already tired and a little emotional and I found myself getting stuck on the fears. I felt it when it started—the tight feeling in my chest and tears threatening to spill, and I knew I had to interrupt my thoughts.

We decided to call it a night and get ready for bed. Sometimes a change in activity or topic of conversation is all it takes to change the mind’s focus. But oftentimes, it’s not that easy.

I reminded myself that while what I feared was possible and could happen someday, it wasn’t imminent. As far as I knew, it wasn’t likely to happen, in the near future… or at all.

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3 Steps To Take When You Need An Attitude Adjustment

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I’ve had those days. I’m sure you have too. Those days when one annoying thing happens, then something else goes wrong, followed by another… and in a short amount of time, you find yourself grumbling about everything, and maybe even taking your frustration out on others.

I’m not talking about life changing events that have no choice but to turn your day upside down. I mean the little inconveniences that take extra time; the toddler tantrums or snippy attitude from your teen; the task you forgot to get done; and the situation that didn’t go according to plan.

They add up to equal a sour mood that can last all day, and even into the next day.

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The Process of Learning to Trust God

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Several years ago we were at the beginning of a long walk through health-related issues with a loved one. It was recommended that we visit the Mayo Clinic, so we made the appointment and waited three months until the scheduled date. In the meantime, I worked with the insurance company to request the necessary pre-approval.

When I finally received the letter, I was disappointed to read that our request had been denied. Disappointed isn’t the right word. My immediate physical reaction, without being able to control it, was panic—stomach in knots, hands shaking, light-headedness—panic.

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Walking Forward Through The Unknown

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Last year felt like a year of extremes for me. The highs were really high and the lows were really low. There were wonderful surprises, but there was also sadness and loss.

The saying, “We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.” feels like an understatement. I didn’t see the highs or lows coming until they were already in motion. But in both, I knew God was at work.

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Run, Hide, Fight: 3 Steps To Take In A Spiritual Crisis

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I had never been in a building when it was put on lockdown… until recently. Although the time from lockdown to all clear was brief (and without incident), it was long enough to be frightening. As we waited, my co-workers and I reviewed the steps we had been taught—Run. Hide. Fight.

Run – When possible in the case of an active shooter, get out of the building.

Hide – If you can’t get out safely, hide. Turn off lights, silence cell phones, block doors and remain hidden and silent.

Fight – As an absolute last resort, fight. (Ready.gov)

Hours and days later, I was still thinking about the Run, Hide, Fight steps. And I realized these are the same steps we should take when life takes us off guard.

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When You’re Not As Okay As You Say You Are

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I keep saying I’m okay, but honestly, I’m starting to question that.

I wrote this to a friend a few weeks ago in an email. I thought I was okay. It was my standard answer when someone asked how I was doing. But privately, I was starting to wonder.

I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was forgetting things that I wouldn’t normally forget. I was irritable, on edge, and about to cry at any moment. But… I thought I was doing okay. Until I wasn’t.

Maybe you know the feeling when so much is piled up and if one more thing gets added to the pile—just one. more. little. thing.—you will break.

I had reached my breaking point.

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When You Feel Like You’re Holding It All Together

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“You’re the glue that holds everything together.”

I would guess that I’m not the only wife and mother who has either heard it, thought it, or feels it.

I suppose it’s a compliment. Or at least it was on the cutesy Mother’s Day card I saw at the store several months ago.

The first time I thought about myself as the one who holds it all together, it felt kind of empowering. That’s right. I am the one who keeps us all on track.

After a while, it started to feel annoying. Okay, people…you don’t need to come to me for everything.

Lately, however, it just makes me feel tired. Listen up—do it yourself or do without it.

Now, before you suck in your breath at that last statement and think I’m ungrateful, I’m not. I’m very thankful for what God has blessed me with… but I’m also being honest.

Being The Glue Is Exhausting

That cute Mother’s Day card I saw should have said on the inside: “You must be exhausted.” But it didn’t.

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