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“And then, inside of our own little worlds, our own little storms. The menial and the meaningful. Continuity and resilience, slave driving ourselves and demanding survival. Pulling our war-weathered souls along as we all become civilian soldiers. Many of us, real soldiers. Survivors, thrivers?” This beautiful quote was taken from a book I began reading over the weekend, one entitled “Missiles and Mourning” written by my talented cousin, Ashley, whom I recently connected with thousands of miles away. As I read through her tragedies and triumphs, I was reminded that we each hold the wounds of battles we’ve endured. A battle that rages on despite the demands of being a spouse, parent, co-worker, friend, etc. A battle that’s missiles have pierced a piece of you so deep that the instinct of survival mode is all that remains.

Through my journey I have experienced a handful of moments that changed the trajectory of my life – some were painful, some were victorious, all were God ordained. Those seasons of war are hard, and the armor gets heavier than we want to carry, but the army of soldiers rising in this time of unrest will be no match for the enemy once we each reach that line. The storms we each face swirl around and create such a shock to our souls that we often forget to breathe when the sun re-appears. I want to begin 2026 with a new mindset filled with pauses, praises and protection. I have realized that my physical body is begging me to release the years of stress for space to enjoy the now all the while my spiritual body is longing for an even deeper connection. A rest I have avoided because busyness seemed like an easier escape.  “And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while…” Proverbs 6:31. Friend, your soul is craving a desert place filled with a vast landscape of rest and Jesus.

I have been intently studying how to shift this mindset through God’s word and the infinite wisdom of His promises. My goal is not to run a marathon, but to simply allow my nervous system time to rest from the race that has been unending and often stagnant. A race I can confidently say I am proud of at times yet still feel unqualified to enter. What is the race God has called of you? Ashley goes on to say in her book, “We insist on life, grabbing onto those moments for as long as they last. Seconds, minutes, hours. Remembering what is means to feel alive.” I have realized in the storms, races and wars, I have many times failed to feel alive. Going through the motions and navigating the fake reality we have all been fed is exhausting and takes a significant toll on a healthy person – much less someone who has been through some type of hell in their lives. There is tragedy, pain, darkness and bullets in this lifetime, but we must refuse to allow our light and life to dim.

If you are entering this new year with a heaviness on your heart, I pray you know you most certainly are not alone. I would like to encourage you to take hold of your weapons of warfare and fiercely move forward with a new mindset overcome with faith, gratitude (for the big and little) and victory! The missiles may fly all around in the darkened sky above, but we can rest assured that God will protect so long as we remain steadfast – keep marching, soldier! 

 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Blessings,

Kayla