The Key to Living a More Stable Life

“If you don’t have a consistent goal in life, you can’t live it in a consistent way.”  ~Marcus Aurelius

​Perhaps the title of this article captured your attention because life feels hectic and out of balance. Maybe you’re looking for steadiness in relationships, difficult circumstances, or stability of mind. The quote for this chapter challenged me because it begged the question: What does living life in a consistent way look like? How does one achieve stability in life, especially when external circumstances are entirely out of our control?

A quote from the daily devotional on the Bible App echoes this theme: “What we place our hope in influences our ability to endure difficult times. If we cling to something taken from us, our lives will crumble.” A large part of living in a consistent way is putting your trust in a consistent hope. It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn, re-learn, and re-learn again, but placing my hope in the world’s enticing and shiny promises won’t provide steadiness. It reminds me of Jesus calling Peter to walk on the water (Matthew 14:22-36).

When Jesus first called Peter to meet him out on the water, Peter emerged from the boat with confidence. As he drew closer to Jesus, he took his eyes off Him and became distracted by the wind and the waves, causing great fear. Then Peter began to sink. When he fixed his eyes back on Jesus, his source of stability, it saved him. Like many, Peter wanted solid ground to endure the raging waters.

Viktor Frankl, Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, writes in his book A Man’s Search for Meaning, “When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” Pleasure is fleeting and thus wildly unstable. It is a flimsy basis for our hope because it is unpredictable. It offers no stability, no consistency, only a short-lived satisfaction that leaves us wanting more. Frankl affirms that pursuing worldly pleasures will not leave a deep and fulfilling sense of meaning. Peter’s story takes things a step further and reminds us that Jesus is the deep meaning and stability we so desperately crave. Like Peter, we sink when we take our eyes off Jesus, our consistent hope, and look to the incoming threats of the world.

I’m sure many of you have heard a similar sentiment: “Just put your hope in God! Trust in the Lord, and you can weather any storm!” While I wholeheartedly believe in this truth, I’ve wondered what this looks like daily. I look to move away from abstract concepts and get down to the heart of the actions I need to take to make a positive change. Practically, what does putting your hope in God look like? It will look different for you than the next person, as it’s an individual journey. Personally, putting my hope in God shows up in small acts throughout the day that center me back to Him.

• Becoming mindful of my anxieties and giving them to God through journaling or prayer
• Praying before meals and giving thanks for my body’s nourishment
• Acknowledging His creative hand when something beautiful catches my attention (ex. a sunset, a thunderstorm’s power, a refreshing winter walk through the woods, etc.)
  
  

It’s all about finding a consistent routine that provides constant community with God. Come up with something that works for you, and consider the changes you see in yourself. These small acts allow me to find stability, keeping me grounded in my relationship with God. I encourage you to establish a unique routine that offers stability, for when we place our hope in God, we will not be dissatisfied. Romans 5:5 mirrors this sentiment, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

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