How To Cope in Hard Times
Lately, many of us are feeling the weight of the world; tragedies in the news, deep losses, rising tension…
As a therapist, I see it every day in my office, and a surge lately of clients carrying grief, anxiety, anger, and even guilt for feeling too much—or for feeling numb. If that sounds like you, You’re not alone
Common responses to pain and injustice may includes:
Deep grief for what’s been lost
Anxiety or fear about what’s ahead
Anger about harm, injustice, or indifference
Numbness—a shutdown response when it’s “all too much”
Helplessness, wondering “What can I even do?”
These feelings make sense. The world is hurting. And so are many of our hearts.
Faith and Painful Feelings
I work with many Christian clients who wonder if their feelings mean that they lack faith. Grief does not mean you’ve failed spiritually. Even Jesus wept (John 11:35)
Faith doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It is an invitation to bring what is on our heart to the Lord.
Spiritual truths to look to:
Lament is worship. Telling God the truth about your pain/feelings demonstrates your trust in Him
You were never meant to carry it alone (Galatians 6:2)
Faith and feelings can coexist. You can feel overwhelmed and still believe in God’s goodness.
Philippians 4:6–7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God... will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Simple Practices for Heavy Days:
Whether you’re faith-based or not, here are a few grounding tools that can help:
Name what you feel.
Grief. Rage. Numbness. Naming it helps your brain process it.
📵 Limit your intake.
Constant exposure to heartbreaking news can increase anxiety. It’s okay to unplug and take a break
Ground yourself.
Get outside. Ground your feet. Take a few deep breaths. Your body needs to feel safe.
Stay connected.
Reach out to a friend, a therapist, or family member….Pain grows in isolation.
💛 Do one small thing.
Pray. Help someone in need. Rest. You don’t have to fix the world. Just take the next step.