• Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
Type and hit ENTER
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
GET CONNECTED
retina-image
cart
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
  • 0 Items : $0.00cart
4 Things to Do When You’re Feeling On the Edge
Share
feeling on the edge
Spiritual Growth

4 Things to Do When You’re Feeling On the Edge

May 16, 2022
-
Posted by Cindi

It’s easy to feel on the edge these days — whether we’re watching the news and becoming frustrated or just living with a growing irritation or discontent for how life is going.

Edginess – which is sometimes called a midlife crisis – can come our way through a restlessness that makes us feel we’re missing out on something, or we’re not as happy as we could be, or we’re tired of rules, regulations, or expectations (like having to stay married, having to work at a job you don’t like, or having accountability).  It can also happen when we aren’t happy with where we are physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Yet, when we’re desperate for something to change, that’s often when God wants to change us and make us desperate for Him.

Once you recognize the warning signs of being “on the edge” it will help if you have a plan so you can steer that edginess into a positive direction instead of doing something that you will later regret. Here are four productive things to do when you find yourself feeling like a woman on the edge.  

  1. Reach out to a mentor.

All around you are people who are older or wiser than you and have gone through what you are going through now Be real with someone, share your struggles, and ask for their help, wisdom, and perspective.

If you need counseling more than mentoring, make the investment to address those childhood wounds and the issues in your life that might be leading to how you’re feeling today. Proverbs 13:10 tells us “wisdom is with those who receive counsel” (NASB). And if you haven’t yet read it, check out my book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.

2. Read some great books.

Have you ever thought (or heard) the saying, “Too many books, too little time”? Start developing that motto, and then attacking it as a challenge to read more of the great books that are available to you, physically or online.

Invest in your spiritual life and knowledge of God by reading some of the writers of Christian Classics like Henry Nouwen, A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, Teresa of Avila, or St. John of the Cross. You will not only exercise your mind (which could help delay memory failure as you age), but you will grow mentally and spiritually, too.

In addition to the Bible, some of the most life-changing books I’ve read through the years include: The Pursuit of God and Man: The Dwelling Place of God by A.W. Tozer, Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray, Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller, and The End of Me by Kyle Idleman. Another life-changer that released this year is Natasha Crain’s Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture. It will help you put a finger on why you may be feeling so frustrated at the direction this nation is headed. Good books will sharpen you in – and in some ways protect you from – a difficult season of life.

3. Try some fruitful ‘firsts.”

Don’t let this restless season of your life be the first time you try something stupid like smoking pot or having an affair. How about making it the first time (or the one hundredth) that you do something super productive that will count beyond just this lifetime?

I know so many women who rush out to get their first tattoo during a restless season in life. But, how about rushing out to make a mark on someone else through service, financial investment, or just showing love in a way you never had before? How about making this season of life the first time you personally shared Christ with someone, served in a homeless shelter, or regularly supported a missionary or a child in need through a Christian organization like Compassion International?

Serving others keeps our minds off of ourselves and our discontent. And keeping busy, when it benefits someone other than yourself, is far better than having idle hands ready for a new way to become destructive.

4. Develop a hunger for heaven.

The day I turned 50 I started fearing death for the very first time. I didn’t have a terminal diagnosis. In fact, I was in perfect health. I wasn’t afraid of my eternal destiny, because I was assured of my salvation in Christ Jesus. I had just realized that I had more years behind me than in front of me and I’d become so comfortable with life on earth that I feared leaving it. Sadly, I had lost (or never really gained) my longing for heaven.

A season of edginess can make us feel we must do something wild, risky, or utterly crazy while we still have time. But if we become aware of what heaven is like, which will cause us to long for it, we will be more focused on our heavenly home than our earthly one. Colossians 3:1-2 tells followers of Christ to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” When you and I realize our lives are hidden (protected and secured) with Christ in God, we should want nothing more than to invest in our eternal home.

You can develop a hunger for heaven by reading all the Bible has to say about it, and gleaning spiritual insights from the scriptural studies on heaven that authors and pastors have done. Read Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, and Robert Jeffress’s A Place Called Heaven. I suggest you not wait until you’ve had a terminal diagnosis to start investing in, and longing for heaven. You might not have that much time.

For more practical and spiritual help through this tough season, see my book, Women on the Edge: Turning Desperation into a Desire for God (on sale for just $9.99 each this week only).

May 16, 2022
6 Comments
Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning author and national speaker who helps women find strength for the soul. She has nearly 35 years experience ministering to women and inspiring them to let God meet their emotional needs, grow stronger through their alone times, and pursue their dreams with boldness.
← PREVIOUS POST
A Prayer to Start the Summer Well
NEXT POST →
Seven Ways to De-stress This Spring

6 Comments

on 4 Things to Do When You’re Feeling On the Edge.
  1. Lynn Avrett
    May 17, 2022 @ 6:19 am
    -
    Reply

    Cindi— Thank you for this—today! Great reminders in this season.
    Love to you—Lynn

    • Cindi
      May 17, 2022 @ 12:29 pm
      -
      Reply

      Thank you, Lynn. It’s great to hear from you. Love to you, too. 🙂

  2. Lonnie Afonso
    May 17, 2022 @ 7:45 am
    -
    Reply

    Loved your fresh, inspiring, comments on turning desperation into deliberate acts of kindness! Like you I have reflected on the brevity of life and came to the same conclusion! Live for the Lord, pouring out your life for others! Heaven is not that far away!!!!
    Thank you sweet Cindi!
    In His Amazing Love,
    Lonnie

    • Cindi
      May 17, 2022 @ 12:30 pm
      -
      Reply

      You’re welcome, Lonnie. Always great to hear from you — on the blog and elsewhere. 🙂 Keep in touch.

  3. Ramona Klassen
    May 17, 2022 @ 3:31 pm
    -
    Reply

    Recently I found myself edgy while visiting a lot with someone. I began to notice she doesn’t hear me or just doesn’t want to respond to what I’m saying. The Lord turned this situation on me while I was trying to stay calm about it all. He said, “See? Now you know what I feel like when you don’t answer me when I want to communicate with you.” Ouch! The Lord catches my attention in these moments a lot. LoL
    Love this read of yours sister. This time it was great. Thank you!

    • Cindi
      May 18, 2022 @ 9:10 am
      -
      Reply

      Thank you, Ramona, for sharing this. I, too, find that the offense lightens when God immediately shows me how I’ve offended HIM the same way. So humbling, yet so loving of Him to point that out to us so we don’t become critical or unforgiving of others. I love that you brought this out because it’s another tender aspect of our Father’s loving care.

Leave a Comment

Your feedback is valuable for us. Your email will not be published.
Cancel Reply

Please wait...
Submit Comment

Categories
Also Find Cindi on:

Cindi’s Books Also Available On:
kindlenook
Feeling Tired? Get Your God-Motivation Today! If Feeling Tired? Get Your God-Motivation Today!  If you're struggling with motivation this time of year, this hint from God's Word will help...
https://strengthforthesoul.com/feeling-tired-get-your-god-motivation-today/
I'm so thankful for you, my reader, and want you t I'm so thankful for you, my reader, and want you to  be the first to know -- 4 of my titles are at their lowest cost ever! https://strengthforthesoul.com/shop/
4 More Ways to Not Embarrass Your Adult Child: I 4 More Ways to Not Embarrass Your Adult Child: 
 If they'll be around your Thanksgiving table, here's how to not be annoying over the holidays. :) 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-more-ways-to-not-embarrass-your-adult-child/
How to Keep from Embarrassing Your Grown Child - I How to Keep from Embarrassing Your Grown Child - It happens but it doesn't have to. Be an inspiration, not an irritation, to your grown child by keeping these 4 things in mind....
https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-ways-to-keep-from-embarrassing-your-grown-child/
How to Keep it Together While the World Falls Apar How to Keep it Together While the World Falls Apart: 
When gas prices soar sky high and this country's morality and values sink to an all-time low, here's how to keep your focus and let your light shine: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/how-to-keep-it-together-while-this-world-falls-apart/
4 Ways to Keep Jesus on the Throne of Your Life - 4 Ways to Keep Jesus on the Throne of Your Life - Has impatience, an addiction, or another person or their opinion become more important to you than Jesus? Here's how to reverse that: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-ways-to-keep-jesus-on-the-throne-of-your-life/
3 Ways to Eliminate the 'Golden Calf' in Your Life 3 Ways to Eliminate the 'Golden Calf' in Your Life - Here's how to identify--and get rid of -- what you might tend to worship instead of the Living God: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/3-ways-to-eliminate-the-golden-calf-in-your-life/
4 Ways to Biblically Empower Another Woman -- You 4 Ways to Biblically Empower Another Woman -- You can help your mom, sister, daughter, or friend with the power you have within yourself through Jesus. https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-ways-to-biblically-empower-other-women/
Find Your True Power and Identity as a Woman -- It Find Your True Power and Identity as a Woman -- It’s popular today to talk of harnessing your inner strength, but who are you really? And how much power do you actually have? Read more here: https://strengthforthesoul.com/finding-your-true-power-as-a-woman/
A Prayer to Start the Summer Well: Make this your A Prayer to Start the Summer Well: Make this your season of growing closer to Jesus. https://strengthforthesoul.com/a-prayer-to-start-the-summer-well/
4 Things to Do When You're Feeling on Edge: Frustr 4 Things to Do When You're Feeling on Edge: Frustrated at the world? Wanting a change? Here are four healthy things to do during this season of life: https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-on-the-edge/
7 Ways to De-stress this Spring -- May can be a mo 7 Ways to De-stress this Spring -- May can be a more restful month with these practical tips. Read more at: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/seven-ways-to-de-stress-this-spring/
Follow me on Instagram

SIGN UP FOR CINDI'S BLOG

  • ABOUT CINDI
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright Strength for the Soul, 2018

4 Things to Do When You’re Feeling On the Edge | Strength for the Soul