A Christian Guidebook Whose Time Is Now!

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Are you an active churchgoer? An ordained church leader? A passionate layperson who wants to see churches remain pure and vibrant.
If you fit any of these areas, you should buy Tom Essary’s Snakes in the Sanctuary, read it, and recommend it to others ASAP!
Most groups or organizations, sadly, are more likely to be destroyed from within rather than by any outside influence. Though we know that Christ and His followers end up winning the great spiritual war, we should want Satan to win as few battles as possible along the way. Far too often, members with “all-about-me” agendas and leaders who misguide their flocks by misinterpreting Scripture and doctrine to promote their personal “vision” have confused and misled members as to what God’s ideas really are for us. Such actions tend to disillusion people, make them cynical about churches, and often help congregations shrink in size and influence.
Now, Essary says, more than ever, discerning Christians need to work lovingly to nip this Christian “rot” in the bud by speaking the truth in love yet working to rid churches of any such source of misguided infection.
In the book, Essary, who has counseled numerous pastors and church members in his professional practice, clearly points out many of the ways, both subtle and blatant, that Satan uses to weaken God’s work in God’s houses, where His Spirit should reign victorious.
They’re evil methods that Essary thinks all believers must be equipped to identify, and with God’s help, shake off like a messed-up picture on an Etch-a-Sketch.
Snakes in the Sanctuary is an inspired guidebook that you and your fellow Christians should read and commit to your heart as part of your holy action plan to keep the devil out of your house.
If “one man plus God is a majority,” Tom Essary thinks that millions, armed with God and His wisdom, can make a super-majority such that “the gates of Hell cannot overcome it.”
You can be a part of that with God’s guidance and Essary’s insight.

Paul was worried that the Corinthian people were weak and would compromise their behavior and beliefs to make their lives easier and fit in with the current culture. Paul suggested that “Believers” should be immovable, steadfast, and faithful to the Lord and His teachings. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13-14, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from (idolatry/sin).”
Steadfast is defined by Oxford Languages as being resolute, dutifully firm, and unwavering. The Britannica Dictionary carries the definition a little further, describing being steadfast as being loyal, devoted, believing, and having a cause. In the Bible, the meaning starts to narrow and becomes concerned with faith, firm belief, and determination. The Bible’s meaning includes being firmly fixed, loyal, and not subject to change. A steadfast person will always stay the course and never resign. The steadfast person will be dependable, reliable, and unwavering. Steadfastness is being able to know sureness and continuous dependability.
Psalm 108:1 states, “My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.”
“A steadfast heart is secure in Christ, and not even the devil can drive it from its devotion to the Lord. Indeed, you can be steadfast because your Savior is steadfast. Markets may crumble, and economies erupt in uncertainty, but a steadfast heart stays fixed on the faithfulness of its heavenly Father. A steadfast heart understands its sufficiency is in Christ, so it goes there first by faith. Sometimes you climb to praise God by the ladder of prayer—and at other times you bless the Lord for the past, so in prayer you have faith to plead with Him in the present. The Holy Spirit seizes your steadfast heart so you can pray your way up to praise, or so you can patiently praise the Lord until you are ready for prayer.
You know your heart is steadfast when sin’s allure loses its luster. You do not want to go to the playground of pride, because you know it will bully you into bad behavior. A steadfast heart sees the awful consequences of disobeying God and does not go there. Because you are anchored in the fear of God, He stabilizes you in the face of fear. You remain fixed on trusting the Lord with your finances, your family, and your future. (Hunter, 2015)
Paul reaffirms this message in I Corinthians 15:58 and again warns the people of Corinth not to be moved from their faith. He tells them that their work will never be in vain if they stay with God. The whole world may change, things may get worse, and a person may fear the future, but a steadfast person will be able to survive. A steadfast person will be able to maintain their integrity and self-esteem and know that their faith will be rewarded.
Like many things we read about and strive to accomplish in the Bible, being steadfast will be easier said than done. We know that there was only one person to be an excellent illustration of a steadfast person. Jesus was and is steadfast, immovable, true to his word, always the same, and perfect in all ways. Our wants, desires, and prayers are often not answered in the time we want. But we have to admit all prayers are answered in God’s time. Naomi lived a hard life. She was many times bitter and about to give up. But Naomi stayed with her faith and believed that God would eventually provide for her. Another person that showed steadfastness was Priscilla. Priscilla and her husband Aquila were tent makers during the Roman occupation. They knew helping the Christians would put them in danger, but they followed their beliefs. They were martyred together in their attempt to save Paul. In Genesis, Abram, later known as Abraham, showed complete and total faith and steadfastness in God by following orders to sacrifice his son. And we can all agree that the twelve disciples were steadfast in following the Great Commission. All twelve had weak moments, times of lost faith, and showed every failing of being human. Still, they did finally develop the steadfastness to follow the directions given to them by Jesus.
We are told in 2 Peter 1:6 that “knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness. This verse means that if we try to work hard and do good for God, this goodness will show us the foundation we need to succeed. This steadfastness is the main ingredient to having strong self-esteem, self-respect and becoming fulfilled as a human. “Self-actualization represents the pursuit of reaching one’s full potential. Self-actualization occurs when the more basic needs are met or in the process of being met, and it becomes possible to strive to add meaning and personal and social fulfillment to existence—through creativity, intellectual growth, and social progress. As Maslow himself stated, What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization.” (Staff, n.d.) This creativity, intellectual growth, and social progress are all gifts from God and depend on our faith, belief, and understanding. Faith, belief, and understanding allow us to separate the Spirit of the mind and the loathsome thoughts of the mind. Romans 8: 5 states, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …”

Hunter, W. (2015, 6 5). Wisdom Hunter. Retrieved from Steadfast Heart: https://www.wisdomhunters.com/steadfast-heart-2/
Staff. (n.d.). Psychology Today. Retrieved from Sel-Esteem: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-esteem

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that we should “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Knowing this, we still go through life worried and concerned about actual and imagined events. For the most part, we know our fears are not based on anything real. We fear the perception of what may come in the near and far-off future. We spend a lot of energy and time worrying about events, people, and circumstances that will never occur.
“At best, these are uncertain times. Although uncertainty can be fruitful because it can motivate us to be curious and exploratory to reduce said uncertainty, it can make us anxious and hesitant. One hardly wants to risk trying new things when the uncertainty and its associated risk for loss are perceived to be too high. Further, uncertainty can bring about fear of the unknown, particularly when it concerns not only the safety and health of our families and ourselves but also our jobs and ways of life. Indeed, these days, it is hard to find solace and reasons for optimism when daily headlines are crowded with dire news related to the coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) pandemic.” (Reio, 20)
Many of us are the children or grandchildren of the “Greatest Generation.” This generation was born during the great depression, fought in WWII and Korea, and created the most prosperous period in American history. This generation were the parents of what we call Baby Boomers. For the most part, baby boomers were protected from many world realities and rebelled against how their parents had raised them. Drugs and alcohol became popular, and the “peace and love” group tried to drop out of society. The Baby Boomers were to enjoy the efforts of the prosperity created by the Greatest Generation and became centered on economic pleasures and money. Integrity and honesty became less unessential, and paranoia in living in constant fear of losing economically became normal. This spoiled and misguided generation is now what is running the government and businesses that we all depend upon daily. Knowing this alone should cause a certain amount of fear and uncertainty. Those that experience persistent, repetitive, and passive focus on negative emotions and symptoms will have trouble coping with day-to-day activities. This persistent, continuous thinking about sad, dark, or threatening thoughts is called rumination. “A habit of rumination can be dangerous to your mental health, as it can prolong or intensify depression as well as impair your ability to think and process emotions.” (Legg, 19) We cannot escape fear and uncertainty, but we can recognize the symptoms and try not to succumb to the negative emotions and symptoms. Philippians 4:8-9 reassures us in these circumstances, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
“Fear of the unknown may be a, or possibly the fundamental fear’ underlying anxiety and therein neuroticism. Fear of the unknown (FOTU) will be defined herein as an individual’s propensity to experience fear caused by the perceived absence of information at any level of consciousness or point of processing.” (Carleton, 2016) This information is more valid now than ever, with no information source we can believe. The internet is full of opinionated and false information, the media is reporting questionable and false information paid for by the highest bidder, and our educational system has failed after surrendering to the radical left. It is easy to see why so many people suffer from anxiety and depression. We should remember that Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Fear not, for I (God)am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Nelson Mandela said he “learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” In today’s world, this is especially true. We have no choice but to proceed with limited knowledge, lack of tactical planning, and constantly rely on information that changes to fit the day’s narrative. “Circumstances in life come and go, some flooding over us, others bringing hope and restoration. While we can’t control our circumstances, our attitudes and response to them always make a difference. More than that, we can change circumstances simply by our presence. The Doing Habits point us in the right direction. We can be people who express God’s love by being people of grace and forgiveness, and encouragement. We can build a community that helps others experience life characterized by God’s presence. Spend time in God’s presence as you move into your day. Then, let God use you to reflect His life, love, and perspective to those around you.” (Lead Like Jesus, 21)
We need to notice when we start to have an anxious or fearful feeling about a circumstance or start to be attacked by the “what ifs” or fear that a situation is out of control or becoming unmanageable. Try to recognize what is making you feel this way, what is happening in your mind and body. Determine if this feeling is an actual or perceived event. Do not deny the feelings as being genuine but do not allow the feelings to consume the circumstances and your emotions. Sometimes you can allow yourself to move through the feelings, experience the uneasiness, and become stronger. All emotions will eventually regain control and allow you to move forward. While experiencing fear and uncertainty, try to breathe normally and control your thoughts. Consider what is real in your surroundings and reason while regaining your composure. We all have moments that we are not in total control. We must learn to ask God for strength, understanding, insight, and fortitude while experiencing fears and uncertainties. Talk to family and friends about what you are experiencing. Chances are they are either experiencing the same things or have in the past. And, of course, anytime you are out of control and having difficulties, you should trust God to carry you through. How often have we been told to pray and share our feelings with God? By now, we should know God has a better plan and answer than ever. God has a plan and answers specifically for each of us. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” And then Jeremiah 29:11-14 reassures us by telling us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” With this in mind, we should have little fear and experience uncertainty. Isaiah 41:10 reinforces this by stating, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Carleton, R. N. (2016, June ). Journal of Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from Fear of the Unknown: One Fear to Rule Them All: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618516300469
Lead Like Jesus. (21, 2 3). Retrieved from Changing Circumstances: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?hl=en#inbox/FMfcgxwLsKBwjWwhJDVrMhNghXXkVvjt
Legg, T. (19, 4 18). HealthLine. Retrieved from What is Runination: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-ruminating
Reio, T. (20, 6 7). Wiley Online. Retrieved from Uncertainty of the Unknown: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hrdq.21394

Each new year we take inventory and celebrate our victories, mourn our failures, grief our losses, and create in our minds all the new tasks we have in mind for the months to come. We see the new year as a time for moving past the old year onto an exciting new time of opportunities. Second Corinthians 5:17 re-enforces this idea by stating, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Many people take this time of year to celebrate at some New Year’s Eve party, others come together with family on New Years Day to watch football and have a big meal, other use the New Year to reflect and meditate. The ending of one year and the beginning of the new year is part of the cycle of life that we see in every aspect of our lives. Genesis 8:22 describes the cycle that God created to allow everything to be born, to live, to die, and to be born again. Genesis 8:22 states, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer, and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” In this statement, God promises to preserve and redeem his created order.
We do not know the exact month that God was talking about in Exodus 12:1-2 when it is quoted, “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.” Even then people recognized the beginning and the importance of the new year. Now, many hundreds of years later we still want to make resolutions and try to manipulate how the months to come will play out. We have a false idea that we can just wish our future to be a certain way and it will come true. In the Book of James, we are warned that we need to involve God in our plans before becoming too wrapped up in our earthy desires. James 4:13-17 tells us, “Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” In making our New Year Resolutions we need to involve God, consider our families, and be realistic and thankful.
So how should we proceed and create our resolutions? It is suggested that we take inventory of our lives and reflect on our accomplishments and our shortcomings. This exercise is not designed to gloat nor to punish ourselves. It will help us build a foundation to build from. Francis of Assisi, was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon, and mystic is credited with saying, “Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” In other words, start simple, build toward new ideas, and your accomplishments may surprise you. Along the same lines, Albert Einstein suggested that we “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.” There are many suggestions in the Bible as to how and to what Resolutions should be about. Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 19:21 that, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” In a letter to the people of Philippi Paul suggest that we look forward to the call of God when he writes in Philippians 3:12-15 stating, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” David has one of the best suggestions for a Resolution when he says in Psalm 51:10-11, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” There are at least sixty-eight references to new resolutions in the Bible. They all suggest in some form or fashion that the resolution needs to be based on becoming closer to God and having a foundation with God. Idle wishes and wants will not be recognized and probably will not be fulfilled. We need to remember that God has knowledge that we do not possess. In Jeremiah 29:11 he reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” God knew you before you were even born and gave you everything you need to live a full and successful life. It is our daily choices that determine our path, our successes, our failures, and how we live our lives.
“So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) regarding what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) rely on God’s strength to help you; (4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; (6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 says, commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” (Staff, 2021) Starting a new year off with a new attitude and with new ideas and plans is not new. It has been considered good practice for a very long time. “The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be.” (Pruitt, n.d.) Pope John XXIII offers this prayer for 2022, “Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern not yourself with what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible to do. Now is the time to put aside past and present setbacks and failures and look with confidence to the new day called tomorrow.” ( Pruitt, S. n.d. )

History. Retrieved from The History of New Years Resolutions: https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-new-years-resolutionsStaff. (2021, 4 26).
Got Questions. Retrieved from What Sort of New Years Resolution Should a Christian Make: https://www.gotquestions.org/new-years-resolution.html

Coping
This time of year, we are sometimes pushed to our breaking point. Holidays are difficult when things go well. So, we can only imagine how it is for those less fortunate. 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Be truthful and forgive each other.
We have all argued with whether a change is good or if it is something we have to put up with. No one really likes change but it is a necessary part of life. Occasionally we are fortunate enough to have a change for the better or a change to the good. But many time changes are given to us by some outside force and we just have to accept it. Change tends to turn everything upside down leaving us confused and upset and afraid of what will happen next. Change makes us rethink our position, alters the way we do things, and causes us to take new paths. But while all this is going on and our world is turning inside out one thing remains the same always. God is always there; God never changes or alters His course. God is one thing that is completely firm and never wavering. And we should and must remember Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
When these changes are happening to us, we will need to cope with these circumstances. Sometimes changes occur to our surroundings and sometimes changes occur within us. Recognizing the type of changes will help us determine the course of action needed to successfully deal with the change. “Coping occurs in response to psychological stress—usually triggered by changes—in an effort to maintain mental health and emotional well-being. Life stressors are often described as negative events (the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, etc.); however, positive changes in life (marriage, birth, moving, a new job, etc.) can also constitute life stressors, thus requiring the use of coping skills to adapt. Coping strategies are the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that you use to adjust to the changes that occur in your life.” (Staff, n.d.)
How do you deal with stress or changes? Do you cope well and are you conflicted? Have you ever had to confront someone? Maybe you have had to endure a situation that was difficult. Have you had to grapple with a decision? Maybe you found yourself wrestling with making a choice. There are several words and phrases that describe coping. Handle, suffer, deal, get by, make the grade, and get a handle on it, to name just a few. Coping is something we do every day. Some of us don’t even think about it while others struggle and are in constant conflict with the decision required to cope or deal with the problem or situation. Many times, we are coping with issues and circumstances and we don’t even realize that we are active in coping.
Why is having sound and proper coping skills important? “Coping patterns are important because they facilitate a person’s handling of a stressful experience,” Burns-Nader said. “If someone is going through a tough time, positive coping patterns provide extra resources that can help that person deal with the demand of a stressor. Positive coping patterns increase hope and help one feel his stress could be manageable with support found in the coping patterns,” Burns-Nader said. (Research, 2013) The Bible refers to coping or being able to cope many times. Being able to be flexible, handle difficult situations, and to survive constant changes is part of a healthy life. “Scripture has the ability to calm anxiety, relieve stress, give hope, create peace, validate hurt, encourage, guide, teach and speak truth into the days that I am overwhelmed with lies. It might be hard to believe that scripture is a coping skill, but I’m telling you, it works! I think because it is alive and straight from God it has the ability to speak directly to our hearts in the way we need.” (Mann, 2017) Philippians 4:12-13 states, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” John Ritenbaugh reminds us to, “Be aware, be warned, and be exhorted that, if we have any desire to overcome faults, if we sincerely desire to be in God’s Kingdom, if we desire to be like God and glorify Him, we need to protect our relationship with Him. He is the Source of the power to do all things, even to grow while also enduring these intense times. Paul is saying that he knows how to discipline himself and thus keep on track in every circumstance of life. By this time in Paul’s life, he had the skills required for making the best of every situation. He is not suggesting that he did this alone through mere human discipline and skill that anybody can achieve, but that he was enabled because of his faithful relationship with Christ. The real dynamic is that Christ has the power, and it was He who faithfully enabled Paul. The apostle’s skills, which enabled him to accomplish things that pleased God, were spiritual.” (Ritenbaugh, n.d.) Paul was a master at coping with problems and handling difficult situations. While traveling to Damascus Saul/Paul ran into Jesus and this experience set Paul on an entirely new trajectory. He went from being someone that persecuted the newly formed Christians to someone that worked diligently for Jesus and the Christians. Paul devoted the rest of his life to Jesus and being a Christian. Saul became Paul which took him from being a well-respected member of the Pharisees to a person of the street traveling and working for Jesus. Paul had to have exceptional coping skills to handle the changes in his personal life. But Paul also took on the responsibilities of church planting and all the ups and down the new Christian experienced in the early days of the Church. In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul describes some of his coping skills and how he is successful in dealing with his many problems and new responsibilities when he states, “ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul gave up being associated with the Pharisees a sacrifice to follow Jesus. During his life as Paul, he was flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked, near starvation, and tried. But Paul always found a way to cope with every situation. We should be so strong and have Paul’s coping skills.
“According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million adults in the US are affected by anxiety, and millions more are afflicted depression-related disorders. Overall, they estimate 18% of all adults have some form of mental illness. And most of the rest of us have too much stress in our lives, especially during the prime productivity and child-rearing ages of 18-55. [1] Some folks suffer for very specific reasons—perhaps because of a brain lesion, a genetic mutation, specific episodes of trauma, or an idiosyncratic chemical imbalance. But many folks with diagnosable disorders simply suffer from more intense versions of the same things that almost everyone is suffering from. Some are just harder-hit than others because of their particular social circumstances, or because they are slightly more susceptible (a difference in degree, not in kind).” (Ph.d, 2017) Stress, anxiety, and everyday issues affect everyone. Being able to cope is essential to maintaining both mental and physical health. Everyone tries to cope differently. Some run track, some read, some meditate, and some read scripture. How you cope is not as important as know-how the best method to cope is for you. “While dealing with stress, pain, and suffering is unavoidable in this life, being dragged down by these situations is not. Believe in your own ability to deal with stress, give a couple of these coping mechanisms a try, and see if you can turn a negative situation into an opportunity for positive growth.” (Ackerman, 2019)