From Overwhelm to Oasis: Finding Peace in the Chaos

Yesterday was one of those days when everything came crashing down. My financial instability, the waiting on God's timing, and the overwhelming flood of emotions just consumed me. I felt like I was treading water in a sea of uncertainty, wondering when my breakthrough would come. Trusting and waiting on God is hard, y'all. It's a process that tests every ounce of your patience and faith, and sometimes the silence feels so loud that you wonder if you're even heard. But even in the midst of my breakdown, God sent me a lifeline—my sis-star LaDonna from Atlanta. She picked up when I needed her most, and we vented, we prayed, and I felt lighter. That connection reminded me that I'm never truly alone in this journey.

After that, I did what I always do when I need to reset: I cleaned my house. For me, cleaning is more than just organizing my physical space. It's symbolic—I'm also clearing my mind when I'm organizing my environment. My space might be tight, but I can breathe a little easier when everything is in its place. There's a certain peace in knowing that while I may not have control over everything in my life, I can bring order to something. And sometimes, that's enough.

I'm looking forward to my trip to Atlanta this Wednesday. It's more than just a change of scenery; it's a spiritual revival for my soul. I'll attend a women's revival at a church, and I fully believe God will meet me there. I need Him to reignite my light, to give me clarity in my vision, and to infuse my heart with His love and care. I feel like I've been walking through a fog, and I'm praying that this trip is where God parts the clouds and lets His light shine through again.

Honestly, I don't know if my journey toward joy has evolved that much. In fact, I feel like I need joy now more than ever. Last week at work was tough—the toxicity of the environment combined with my inner battles was overwhelming. But I've realized that life will keep "life'ing," and I have to find my happy place and take it wherever I go. It's not enough to wait for joy to find me. I need to actively seek it and carry it with me, no matter the circumstances. Right now, I'm searching for my "smurfy essence" I used to have—the lightheartedness, peace, and joy. I hope my time in Atlanta will be the reset I need to reclaim that. And I hope that my journey towards joy, my determination to find it even in the darkest of times, can inspire you to do the same.

I'm also ready to release some things on this trip—anger, frustration & fear. I want to let go of the things that have been weighing me down, the emotions that no longer serve me. In their place, I want to embrace the confidence that comes from knowing I am held by a God who sees me, knows me, and has a plan for me. His will and His way are the best prescription for my life, and I'm choosing to trust that.
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I'm going to Atlanta alone and looking forward to it. My hotel room will be my oasis for three nights—a place where I can be still, reflect, and breathe. I believe this trip is coming at the perfect time because I need to refocus as we enter the last quarter of 2024. I have things to accomplish—like finishing my book, Get Your S.H.I.T. Together: A Journey of Strength, Hope, Intentions, and Tenacity.

This is my time to get strategically focused and prepare for what's next.
But let me tell you this—healing is hard. It's messy. It requires you to rip off the bandages and really tend to the wounds. It's not for the faint of heart. But as my sister reminded me, you have to find your happy place and go there often. And if you can't physically get there, hold onto the memory of it. Let it anchor you on your hard days. For me, that happy place is a mix of writing, music, and dancing like no one's watching. On those days when I feel like I can't make it, I turn on my music, sing, and let myself get lost in the moment.

Above all, I remain hopeful. Even when it's tough, even when I'm waiting, I hold onto my mustard seed of faith and know I'll be okay. The road to joy isn't easy, but I'm walking it with purpose, trusting that God's plan is greater than anything I could imagine. And in that trust, I'm finding my peace.

I'd love to hear from you!
How do you navigate your overwhelming moments? What's your happy place, and how do you find joy even when life is "life'ing"? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or email me at [email protected] with the subject line "guest blogger" if you'd like to be a guest on my blog.
Let's keep this journey going together.

-Dee

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