What to Do When Life Plunges You

The plunge can be hard on a person. Take Evan, for example. His work is going great. Everything is clicking, falling into place. He’s doing a good job and feels good about it.

Then out of nowhere, on a dime, things take a bad turn for Evan and the outlook changes. One day in particular at work is so bad it gives him that feeling in the pit of his stomach.

What was an exciting and promising situation just a few days ago now feels painfully terminal. It probably isn’t the end, but it sure feels like it.

If you’ve ever had an exceptionally good day followed by a really bad one, you know what the plunge feels like. It’s like you’re on a roller coaster, but without the fun. One moment you’re on top enjoying the view, then without warning, the bottom falls out. In relatively short order you go from “Yes!” to “Wait, what?”

When it happens, the plunge can take your breath away and for a moment, maybe even your hope. But when the dust settles, and it will settle, these five steps will help you keep moving forward:

1. Grieve it. It feels bad when the bottom falls out so there’s no point in denying it. If it stinks, it stinks. You may as well start by saying so.
2. Pray about it. Ask God for help. Sometimes this is the last thing on our minds in the midst of chaos, but prayer is always a good idea (Hebrews 4:16). It doesn’t have to sound nice and eloquent. Just pray.
3. Learn from it. Take a moment to reflect on the situation and mine it for any lessons, asking “What is the take-away here?”
4. Romans 8:28 it. Place the circumstances under this enormous promise from the Bible: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  
5. Flush it. Now you can put it behind you. Let it go. With God’s help, you can press forward.

Evan bounced back after taking some time to reset. Things are going better at work. With last week’s plunge now behind him, he’s looking forward to what’s coming next. It’s going to be good.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.