Life Between Battles: Finding your way on the battle ground.
Between Life’s Biggest stressors, what can you do?
Have you ever found yourself between two of life’s battles? One big obstacle is out of the way and the next one hasn’t fully presented itself yet.
In war movies after a big battle scene, they often depict this tiny moment – a pause in the action, where we see the armies back at camp. Normally the camera pans over a wide expanse of tents, medical treatments and people cooking over an open fire. This is accompanied by either very somber music (if they lost a lot of men in battle) or perhaps a celebratory fife and drum corp (if they were victorious). Can you think of a movie where you’ve seen that played out?
Lately I’ve been thinking about this question:
What do you do in the meantime between life’s battles?
Every so often, we can find ourselves at these moments in life where several big “hits” have come our way, one right after another. Someone was hospitalized the day that you’re defending your dissertation and then your husband loses his job – some brutal combo like that. Long seasons of suffering, mixed in with new crises, mixed with normal life stressors. Geez. I get a little stressed just thinking about that!
But then this thing happens where it feels like the sky opens up, there’s a lull, and you’re left not quite sure of what to do with yourself without a battle to wage. What are you supposed to be fighting now? What are you working toward? What’s the common enemy to rally against?
Instead of a battle, you find yourself in this…void. There’s a break in the action. You are fresh out of one fight and the other hasn’t appeared yet. But you know it’s coming.
What are you supposed to be doing in those in-between moments?
Tend to wounds.
Did you or someone with you take on an injury during the last battle? Pay attention to your body and see what it needs. Create an environment not only for treatment but also healing. Between battles is when restoration happens.
Sharpen your weapons.
Your weapons have taken on some damage, both offensively and defensively. They’ve received nicks and cuts and dings. You need to address what needs to be shored up and sharpened when you have a break in the action.
Assess battle plans.
What worked? What didn’t? What do you need to approach differently next time? What weaknesses did that battle expose? Where were you out maneuvered? What do you need to learn and get better at before the next time?
Rest and Digest.
You’ve just survived a really dicey situation that not everyone would have made it through. This is your moment to make merriment. Kill the fattened calf! Enjoy the spoils! Build up morale and remember what’s good in life.
Get new recruits.
You’ve lost some in the last battle. You need some fresh blood to fill in the gaps. You can’t fight battles without some strong people by your side.
Get back to your pre-war activities.
Some things had to be left unattended as you fought. It’s time to return to those priorities as you have time and energy.
Gather.
Find your people. Sit by the fire. Tell stories. Affirm each others’ strengths and heroic acts.
Life can come at you hard sometimes. When you find yourselves in these moments of reprieve, make the most of them! You’ll be glad you chose active restoration rather than just checking out.