When Life Throws You a Plot Twist

Forget curve balls, for writers it’s all about plot twists. We love to throw them at our characters and watch them overcome, but when it happens in our own lives…not so much.

Even though change is a constant in life and one of the only things we know for certain will happen, it’s also unsettling. Disruption in our lives, upheaval and the unforeseen can cause anxiety for those of us who thrive on routine. That’s where I am right now, poised on the edge of yet another Big Change that we have no control over. We don’t know the details and we don’t know the timing. The only comfort is that God knows, and He’s got this.

However, I’m more aware than ever that “God’s got this” doesn’t always mean what we hope it will.

Because we’ve been through so much upheaval over the last few years, I’ve got this down to a science. This time, I’m not panicking or losing sleep (much) but instead I’m doing what I’d hope any good heroine in a novel would.

Here’s my secrets to handling life’s major plot twists:

Take action. Waiting around to let circumstances happen to you is not what our favorite heroes do. Doing what we can do is always a better approach, but how you take action depends on what kind of change you’re going through. If you’re preparing for an imminent job change, you rewrite your resume and start networking. Other examples include shoring up finances and getting your home in order. Sitting around? Not an option.

Prepare your family. Introduce the Big Change into the conversation and make it…not so scary. Especially if you’re dealing with children. Talk to your family and close circle of friends, trusted advisors who can offer support and advice. They might even have ideas and approaches you haven’t considered to minimize the impact of your personal plot twist.

Prepare yourself. This is a good time to strengthen yourself spiritually, physically and mentally. There’s so much that can be done in this category. More prayer, exercise, proper nutrition and rest all fall under this umbrella. The stronger you are both inside and out, the better able you are to handle change. Plus, this stuff is good all the time.

Surround yourself with people who uplift you and situations that will build you up rather than add to your stress. Your frame of mind will make all the difference. And believe me, I’m talking to myself!

What do you do when life throws you a plot twist?

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