Finding the Silver Lining: How to See the Good in Tough Moments. Life is unpredictable. As a mom, I’ve come to expect that there will be days (and sometimes whole seasons) when things simply don’t go as planned. From the little disruptions like missed appointments or sleepless nights to the bigger storms that leave you questioning everything, life doesn’t let us coast for long before throwing a curveball. And let’s be real—it’s hard. When you’re deep in the middle of the mess, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong, the overwhelming challenges, and the never-ending stress.
As moms, we have an incredible ability to find hope, even in the darkest times. It’s what keeps us going and fuels us to keep showing up for our families daily. And when we find that silver lining, we can move forward with a little more strength, a little more grace, and a lot more faith.
Over the years, I’ve learned something that’s changed how I see these trials. There’s always a silver lining.
So, how do you find the good when you’re in the middle of a tough season? It starts with a simple question: What can I learn from this?Or maybe, How is this changing me for the better? It doesn’t have to be a big, life-altering revelation—sometimes the silver lining is just realizing that you’re stronger than you thought or that you’re not alone in your struggle.
The Power of Acknowledging the Struggle
First, let me be clear: finding the good doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine when it isn’t. There are real struggles, and it’s important to acknowledge them. I’ve been through my share of storms, literal and metaphorical, and I know how easy it is to feel weighed down by the burdens we carry. Whether it’s dealing with a financial crisis, health issues, or the heartbreak of strained relationships, we all have moments when life feels too heavy to bear. And in those moments, feeling frustrated, exhausted, and even hopeless is okay.
Shifting Your Perspective
God has taught me that finding the silver lining requires a shift in perspective. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not always easy. But when we intentionally start looking for the good—no matter how small—we begin to see it. Maybe it’s a lesson we’ve learned through the trial, a new strength we’ve discovered in ourselves, or a moment of kindness from someone who stepped in to help.
In my life, I’ve found that even in the toughest moments, there’s always something I can hold on to—a tiny flicker of hope that reminds me this hardship won’t last forever. It’s not about ignoring the pain or glossing over the challenges but rather choosing to focus on the growth that can come from them.
The Good That Comes Through Trials
When I think about the toughest moments in my life, what stands out isn’t the pain I felt at the time—it’s the strength I gained from walking through it. Every challenge has shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve learned patience, resilience, and, perhaps most importantly, empathy. As moms, we’re often the ones holding everything together, but it’s through the trials that we learn just how strong we are.
It’s also through these trials that we become more compassionate toward others. I’ve found that the struggles I’ve faced have opened my eyes to the pain others are going through, allowing me to connect with them on a deeper level. That connection, that understanding, is one of the silver linings that can come from hardship.
Finding the Silver Lining
So, how do you find the good when you’re in the middle of a tough season? It starts with a simple question: What can I learn from this? Or maybe, How is this changing me for the better? It doesn’t have to be a big, life-altering revelation—sometimes the silver lining is just realizing that you’re stronger than you thought or that you’re not alone in your struggle.
As moms, we have an incredible ability to find hope, even in the darkest times. It’s what keeps us going and fuels us to keep showing up for our families daily. And when we find that silver lining, we’re able to move forward with a little more strength, a little more grace, and a lot more hope.
Wrapping It Up
Life’s trials are never easy, but they don’t have to be our undoing. God always has something good to be found, even if it’s just realizing God is your hope and you can make it through. So, the next time you find yourself in a storm, take a moment to look for that glimmer of light. It’s there, waiting for you to discover it.
As I’ve traveled this summer, I’ve heard many people talk about being tired and overwhelmed. Just like you, I can’t get everything on my list done in a day! As a part of a recent conference, I participated in a retreat. So today I’m sharing with you the importance of retreating, just as Jesus did in the Bible. There is an urgent need to retreat! Let’s talk about this need for finding quietness and rest amidst the chaos of life and how retreating can provide strength, joy, and a renewed connection with God.
Sometimes quiet is something that we have to make happen. This act of retreating keeps us steady in the midst of chaos and near the heart of God.
“In quietness and rest is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15
I’ve learned that if we don’t make time for this quiet and stillness, sometimes it is thrust upon us. It is vital that we retreat so we have the needed quiet to allow our minds to be still. God provides strength to us when we retreat. Rest moves us from burnout to breakthrough. Our lives are so busy, and these things are robbing us of the time that we need to be in God’s presence.
When I say retreat, I’m not talking about activities that require money or days away. I’m referring to the simple daily time alone with God.
In Genesis, God modeled the practice of rest after He finished creating. In the Gospels, Jesus modeled getting away from the crowds. If God Himself rested and retreated, it seems that we should follow His example. It is a lifeline for us!
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16
Exactly how you do this will look a little different from another person. Maybe you do this by taking a walk, sitting on the porch, or a chair where you can sit alone. You might be able to retreat for a minute or ten minutes or an hour.
Also, remember that your children are watching you. They will see how you take this time away with God and how you make spending that time a priority.
Things to consider:
Where can you retreat?
How long can you retreat?
What does God want to say to you?
More Verses to Ponder:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'” – Mark 6:31
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” – Psalm 116:7
“The Lord replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” – Exodus 33:14
As the fall season approaches, I encourage you to incorporate retreating into your daily lives. I challenge you to add a time of retreat to your calendar. Guard that time like you do taking your children to their various activities. By carving out moments for stillness and communion with God, we can find strength, joy, and direction in the midst of life’s chaos.
I want to take a moment to talk about God’s faithfulness. The Equipped To Be Podcast has reached a major milestone. With this episode and the transition to Season 3, we have marked three years of episodes! There were ups and downs along the way, but I’m so excited to have shared this journey with you!
The Equipped To Be Podcast launched in February 2020 right before the world was turned upside down by the pandemic. I couldn’t have done this without the team who works with me to get these episodes out to you each week. We wouldn’t still be on the air without you, the listeners, or our partners and sponsors. It’s such a testament to God’s faithfulness.
Equipped To Be isn’t just about one topic. We talk about things spanning the spectrum from parenting to education to faith and so much more because it’s all about helping you know and understand that you’re equipped to be a doer of God’s word. You have a calling and a purpose.
Many thanks also go to the guests who’ve been on the show. (See a list of some notable episodes below.) I also owe a shout-out to Libsyn, my host, who supported me and gave me guidance along the way.
This podcast started because Amanda Pelser from The Pelsers Media was sitting in my office and talking about starting the podcast. I didn’t have the technical skills to pull this off, but Amanda said she’d help me. She and her husband, Josh, have been with me from the beginning of this podcast!
Many days, I would come into the studio and just pray, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” I’d script it out or make some notes and then hit record. Then Amanda would clean and polish it and deliver it to you. Every step of the way, you were in mind because we don’t want to waste your time. It’s too precious and too valuable.
When God tells you to start something, just start. Start ugly as a book from a friend of mine says in its title. Start with what you have. Do the best you can. Go and grow as God leads. This is what we’ve done with Equipped To Be. We’ve added features over time like images and show notes and we continue to add value as God gives us the tools and resources to do so.
Would you take a moment and help us out? Your support means the world to us!
Join our email list using the box below
Leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc
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(Links to a few top directories are at the end of this post for you.)
I can’t tell you what’s coming next. I’ve been in a very difficult season. I’ve had to strip away many things in my life and ask the Lord what He wants me to add back in. I do know that I have some exciting guests lined up to share stories that will help you in your journey. Back in 2020, I didn’t know if we’d last more than six months, but here we are, still bringing you encouragement. Thank you for listening. This is your milestone as much as it is ours.
Do you feel like you’re not doing enough for your kids? Does it seem like everyone is doing this mom life better than you? This is mom guilt! Let’s talk today about how to deal with mom guilt.
Defining Mom Guilt
I want to let you know that mom guilt isn’t a new thing. When my kids were young, we didn’t use that term, but this pervasive feeling that we’re not doing enough as women and moms is not new. What is new is the culture of social media that becomes entangled with the expectations of moms. Mom guilt is this feeling of being inadequate. You doubt yourself. You are living your life one way but see another mom doing things another way and become unsure of yourself. You think that the other mom is doing this mom thing better or the right way.
The Root of Mom Guilt
At the root of mom guilt is comparison. Scripture tells us not to compare ourselves to others. We need to keep our eyes focused on running our own races. We are each raising kids in different circumstances and environments. We each parent from different backgrounds and experiences from our childhoods. Maybe you made some bad decisions in the past that cause you to question everything you do now in your parenting. In any case, you have a race to run that is different from the mom next to you.
Steps to Deal with Mom Guilt
The first step to overcoming mom guilt is to give it to the Lord. We have to separate guilt from true conviction that comes from the Lord. Determine with prayer and consulting Scripture if this feeling is from God or a trusted source being used to point out something God wants you to see. Or is this something external meant to derail you? As much as I don’t like the phrase at times, there is value in stepping back and saying, “You do you” if your heart is in the right place seeking after God’s word and will.
Next, evaluate where this mom guilt is coming from. Is it a societal expectation? Consider the people and places where you spend your time or give your attention. Do your friends have a similar mindset to you? What about their biblical convictions or family cultural desires? Put your time and energy into the relationships and spaces that will encourage and support you in following God’s will for your parenting and life.
I challenge you to be a light in the midst of another mom’s guilt. Lift that burden off the mom’s around you. Affirm your mom friends and encourage them today!
I’ve known Erin Warren from Feasting on Truth for many years online. I recently had a chance to finally meet her in person at a women’s conference. Erin has a passion for God’s word that I think you’ll hear in this conversation about life, ministry, and the work she’s doing.
In this episode, Erin Warren and I talk about a lot of things including:
Learning about God through her husband’s chronic illness
Raising young children while navigating health challenges
Leading a women’s ministry
Laying something down when God leads
Starting an online Bible study
Helping women discover God’s word for themselves through inductive Bible study
and so much more!
About Erin Warren
Erin H. Warren is passionate about equipping and encouraging women to discover God’s truths for themselves. She is the author of Feasting on Truth: Savor the Life-giving Word of God, leads and teaches Bible study through her ministry Feasting on Truth, and has published several Bible studies. Erin and her husband, Kris, have three littles (who aren’t so little anymore), and they live in Central Florida. She loves a house full of people and a table full of food and hopes tacos never go out of style.
There’s a difference between resting and quitting. Many times I feel like I want to quit. Today, I want to remind you that it’s okay to rest, but it’s not okay to quit.
In this episode, I’m being vulnerable and sharing some recent life events that have made me want to quit. I know I can’t quit, but I also know that God is calling me to a season of rest for a while.
For some of you, you might just need mental rest. A vacation or some kind of physical exercise like a walk or a trip to the gym might be just what you need. You might need time to read the Word and pray, even if it’s just five minutes. For others, like me in the season, you might need physical rest.
I want to say it again: It’s okay to rest!
How to Make Decisions About Seasons of Rest
Here are some things that you can do to help figure out how to prioritize a season of rest in your life:
Ask yourself in what areas of your life can you rest? There are things like raising kids that can’t be stopped, but there are other things that you could let go of. What are those things? Can they be let go of entirely or do you just need to press pause on them for a bit?
Don’t measure yourself by productivity. God isn’t measuring you by your level of productivity! He’s looking for your faithfulness. Are you doing what He has called you to do?
Pay attention to what God is telling you. Is this something that God is calling you to lay down? Is there something else that God is telling you to pick up?
Make a list of what you’re doing with your time. Are there places you can delegate? Can you hire someone to do a task? Can you ask a friend for help?
Don’t let fear dictate your choices. There are always new opportunities. You can’t do everything!
Bottom line: don’t quit when life gets hard. Live your life in seasons with the right perspective. God has a plan for you and He will lead you!
