How do I respond when someone asks, “How are you?” I’m a nurse, I often ask the question “how are you?” or “how have you been since your last visit?” I genuinely want to know, especially if they’re having issues. As a friend, I often send texts and ask “how are you?” or ask about a specific situation I know was going on. Again, I genuinely want to know. But then someone asked me, “How are you?” and I didn’t know what to say. How do I respond when someone asks, “How are you?” Do I respond with good, great, wonderful, even if I’m not? Do I respond with “blessed and highly favored”, which I am, but... Do they even care? Do they hope I don’t respond? Do they hope for a quick “good, u?” and we can both move on? Do I respond with the truth? I’m overwhelmed, I’m so busy all the time and never have time to rest, I feel like I never get a break and am constantly on the go. If I respond with the truth am I lacking faith? Am I supposed to keep that to myself and “power through”? How do I respond when someone asks, “How are you?” Do we have those people in our lives who ask, “How are you?” and truly want the long answer? Do we have people we can confide in? I think we also have to ask what is our motive to the way we answer this question? No, the lady at the grocery store probably doesn’t want to know about my dreams, fears, failures, hopes, family, friends, and so on. But my best friend probably does. Is my goal to complain and burden her with my problem so she feels sorry for me and let’s me whine? Or is my goal to process what’s going on and confide in someone that will pray with me, look to the Lord and walk with me through it? First, we should always look to the Lord. Whatever is going on in our lives, good or bad, we should first go to the Lord and seek Him. Before I run to a friend to tell them all the awful things happening I should go to the Lord. Does that mean I should go to Him and blurt out all my issues? Nope. Can I do that? Yep. What should I do? :) Be still. Roll your eyes all you want. But trust me, number one there is power in praise, number two He is for you. Choose to get in His presence, even if it’s momentarily at your desk at work, or driving in your car, or sneaking into a room while your kids are screaming. Say His name. Be still. Know that He is God, know that He has it under control, know that the goal is that He is exalted, know that He cares. Let Him refresh you and cast all your cares on Him. I also always recommend journaling. Journaling can be a great way to voice your concerns, frustrations, fears, failures and so many other things. Sometimes I will journal, get it all out, then go back and think, “Whoa, harsh...” Then go to a trusted friend, not social media or just anyone who will listen, but a friend that you trust to listen and pray with you. I encourage you to get in the Word, know who you are in Christ, know who He says you are, realize the authority, gentleness, and grace you have in Him. Be prepared before the issues come. I recommend taking some time now to journal. Write at the top, “How am I?” And be honest with yourself and the Lord. Then take some time to talk with Jesus. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV Are you walking in His perfect peace? Is your mind steadfast? Are you trusting in the Lord? How are you?