Six Ways to Stay Up in Down Times
Dave Anderson • April 29, 2020
Enjoy this special feature article from my friend, and Team Revolution expert mentor, Dave Anderson. - Gary
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Tough times are one of life’s givens. As much as we may hope, life is not an infinite trajectory of ups. Somewhere along the journey we’ll have our share of down times. They may affect us personally or professionally, locally or globally, directly or indirectly.
But just as certain as death and taxes, so too can we expect down times.
In the 21 years that LearnToLead has been in business, times like 9/11, the financial crisis, and meltdown in 2008, (and on a local level here in Southern California) the wildfires that nearly destroyed my home and business come to mind. It’s a topic that has been in the news recently, too, obviously, with the turbulent times concerning the COVID-19 virus crisis we’re all facing.
How well we’re personally able to manage the up and down times enables us to maximize the ups, and marginalize the downs. And given that down times are a certainty, one of the first things we should be asking ourselves is: How do I stay up during a down time—how can I bring more of the eight game-changer traits so I can get to or stay at game-changer status during this situation I’m facing?
Recently, I recorded a podcast titled “Six Ways to Stay Up in Down Times,” which you can listen to here, but in our time here I’d like to share a brief synopsis of its points:
- Don’t overload on media.
Now don’t mistake this for me telling you that you need to be ignorant and live under a rock. Simply put: stay informed but don’t become obsessed. It’s all about guarding your mindset and choosing not to overload on the things that will cause you to shift your focus away from the things you can control. Instead, shift your focus and any newfound down time into prime time by doing something positive and productive: reading that book, learning that new skill, reconnecting with others, or helping a friend out, etc. - Don’t engage in doomsday dialogue.
All this does for you is create needless stress and worry for things that may never even happen. Remember: focus will only work in your favor if you’re focusing on the right things. If your focus is on the doomsday dialogue that surrounds you instead of on the next right action that you can take in the moment all of that negativity will cloud your mindset and affect your thoughts, words, and actions. Keep the garbage where it belongs! - Do speak in terms of possibilities, of hope, of lessons you’re learning, and opportunities you’re seeing.
Again, focus on the next right action you can take, no matter how small it may seem. Keeping your mind clear of the negativity and filled with what’s positive, possible, and productive will keep you up and moving forward. In being a purveyor of positivity you will also be a guiding force to those around you facing a similar situation. - Take an inventory of benefits that the situation you’re facing will bring you.
Because you can’t be grateful and possess a negative attitude at the same time, look for things to be grateful for in your current situation. Now before you dismiss this and think that there’s no possible way any good can come from your current situation, take a moment to pause and reflect how you can make this thing that appears to happen TO you and use it to happen FOR you.
To help give you an idea, here are a few sample personal benefits that I see with the current coronavirus crisis. Now you don’t have to like or love these because what benefits you see are up to you and your current situation, but this will get you thinking more deeply about reframing a seemingly negative situation as a positive.
Personal benefits of the current virus crisis: less traffic on the road and in airports (in the LA area, this is a HUGE benefit); stock market swings are enabling opportunities to buy and sell stocks at prices and variations I’ve never seen in my lifetime; additional funds from this investing has freed up money to give to our non-profit Matthew 25:35 foundation to help more people during this down time; I’m finding myself with more opportunities to show grace, love, encouragement, and generosity to those I deal with daily; it’s given me an opportunity to have more gratitude for my faith in the midst of loss, and to share my faith with others who ask how I can be peaceful and encouraging during this time; it’s given me a greater appreciation for my philosophy to maximize the moment; I’ve taken this opportunity to check in more with friends and family, to look for ways to lift them up; it’s given me more time to read, to write, to study, and to plan, and more.
Now, quickly grab your pen and paper and jot down whatever benefits—small or large—came to mind as you read through mine.
With this simple exercise, you’ll find yourself immediately shifting your mindset from being a victim to being grateful.
- Focus on the things you can control.
During a down time, much of your life may feel as though it is out of your control. It’s easy to feel as though you're powerless and thereby assume a victim’s mindset. The beauty of focusing on the things you can control (your discipline, your mindset routine, your attitude, your character choices, your associations, and more) is that you retain your power, stay in your zone, and can be more productive as a result. - Help someone else.
There’s no better time than a down time to reach out and lend a hand, to be courteous, to check in on others, to be selfless. Doing this just flat out FEELS GOOD; and, in reality, it helps two people: the person you’re doing it for and yourself.
You may be in
defeat, but you aren’t defeated
until you quit.
Stay up, stay positive, and keep going forward.
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For more tips and tools to help you stay up and productive in tough times, listen to Dave's special “Stay UP” series on The Game Changer Life
podcast.

Reading Time 3 mins 42 secs – When most people hear the word success, they picture a number in a bank account, a title on a door, or applause from a crowd. Those things aren’t wrong, but they’re not the whole story. Kingdom success is the fruit of living aligned with God’s presence, God’s purpose, and God’s principles. It’s success that sticks in your family, your finances, your calling, and your soul. What God Calls “Success” The Bible defines success as prospering in what God has assigned you to do. Joshua was told to keep God’s Word front and center. You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. —Joshua 1:8b (NIV) Success begins with alignment, not achievement. When your ways line up with His ways, outcomes change. Success Grows Where Purpose Lives You weren’t designed to drift; you were designed to steward. Deuteronomy 8:18 says God gives you the power to create wealth—not so you can worship wealth but so you can build, bless, and advance His Kingdom. Purpose answers why you’re pursuing something. When your why is right, God can trust you with more. Ask yourself: What problem has God wired me to solve? Who gets helped when I win? How does this goal move God’s purpose forward? Three Pillars of Kingdom Success Presence – Success starts by seeking God first (Matthew 6:33). In His presence, you get clarity, courage, and correction. Purpose – Your assignment sets the target. Aimless motion is not momentum. Practice – Faith works when you work the principles. Plan, sow, and act; God multiplies. Principles That Produce God’s system isn’t random. There’s a time to plant seeds and a time to harvest. If you plant the right seeds consistently, a harvest is inevitable. In Proverbs 16:3, we’re reminded to commit whatever we do to the Lord, and He will establish our plans. Think like a steward and ask, “What have I been given?”(such as time, gifts, relationships, and ideas). Manage them with excellence. Choose excellence daily and do your work heartily as for the Lord, because excellence attracts opportunity. Prioritize wisdom by reading, learning, and surrounding yourself with people who sharpen you. Guard your words; there’s power in the words you speak, so take time to intentionally speak truth. Speak words that are in line with God’s promise rather than with fear. In Luke 16:10, we’re reminded to take faith steps, because small obedient steps multiply, and the servant that is faithful with little can be trusted with much. Break the Success Killers Break the success killers by refusing comparison, which steals both joy and peace. Instead, stay focused on running your own race and celebrating progress over perfection. Avoid hurrying, because quick fixes create fragile results, while patience and process create durable success. Replace excuses like “I can’t” with the empowering mindset of “How can I, with God’s help?” Finally, reject isolation, because lone wolf living limits growth, while community, mentors, and partners in purpose accelerate you. When you consistently choose these healthier patterns, you build the resilience and clarity needed to sustain long-term success. A Weekly Success Rhythm Seek (Daily): 10–15 minutes in the Word and prayer to align your heart and hear strategy. Plan (Weekly): Review your goals and priorities to ensure alignment. Decide your top three Kingdom outcomes for the week. Sow (Consistently): Give, serve, and invest in your skills. Measure (Weekly): What moved forward? What needs adjusting? Celebrate progress, then iterate. Rest (Sabbath): Rest is not wasted time; it’s faith in action . When Progress Feels Slow Psalm 1 paints a picture: a person planted by streams, bearing fruit in season . Not every day looks like a harvest day. Some days are root days. Stay planted. Keep sowing. Harvests have a schedule, and God is never late. A Simple Prayer Father, thank You for calling me to succeed Your way. Align my heart with Your presence, clarify my purpose, and teach me to practice Your principles with diligence and joy. I commit my plans to You. Give me wisdom, clarity, and strength to steward what You’ve placed in my hands. Use my success to bless others and advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen. Carry This with You Success in the Kingdom isn’t a finish line; it’s a faithful life . Start where you are. Work with what you have. Obey what God says. Expect His favor. As you align with His presence, purpose, and principles, you’ll see results that last, results that outlive you, and point people to Him.

Reading Time 2 mins 56 secs – Take a moment and think about this: faith isn’t just for the mountaintop moments. It’s for Mondays. It’s for traffic jams, unexpected bills, and the times when you’re just trying to get through the week. God never designed faith to be complicated or out of reach. He designed it to be your everyday operating system. Faith Is for Today Sometimes, we picture faith as something we have to “muster up” for significant challenges, like praying for healing, believing for a miracle, or asking for a breakthrough in a crisis. And while faith absolutely applies to those moments, it’s also for the little ones. Faith is choosing to trust God with your attitude in a tough conversation. Faith is deciding to believe He’ll provide, even when your budget looks thin. Faith is remembering you’re never alone, even when you feel overlooked. Second Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “ For we live by faith, not by sight. ” Notice it doesn’t say “visit by faith” or “use faith once in a while.” It says live. Faith was always meant to be your way of life. Small Steps, Strong Roots Faith doesn’t usually grow in leaps; it grows in steps. Little, steady decisions that put your trust in God day after day. Opening your Bible instead of scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning Speaking truth over yourself when your feelings want to run the show Praying before making a decision instead of relying only on logic These may not seem dramatic, but they lay a strong foundation. And just like a tree with deep roots, your faith will keep you standing strong when storms come. God Is Faithful, Even When Life Isn’t Here’s the best part: your faith doesn’t rest on your ability to figure everything out. It rests on God’s ability to be faithful. And He is. Always. When you feel shaky, remember this: God is steady. When you feel uncertain, remember this: His promises are sure. When you feel small, remember this: faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. You don’t need giant faith for God to move. You just need real faith in a giant God. Faith That Shows Up in Action Faith isn’t just belief in your heart; it’s trust that shows up in your choices. James 2:17 says, faith without works is dead, which means faith comes alive when you act on it. That could look like forgiving when it’s hard, giving when it feels impossible, or stepping into an opportunity that scares you, but you know God is calling you to. Every time you take action in faith, you’re making a declaration: “God, I trust You more than my feelings, more than my circumstances, and more than what I see.” That kind of faith not only changes your life, but it also inspires others to believe. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that faith isn’t complicated. Teach me to live by faith in the small things and the big things. I trust You with my today, my tomorrow, and every detail of my life. Strengthen my heart and remind me that You are faithful. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Take This with You Faith isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. It’s not about pretending life is easy. It’s about trusting God, no matter what life looks like. Friend, you don’t need to wait for a crisis to practice faith. You can start today, right where you are, with whatever you’re carrying. Take a step. Speak His Word. Trust His heart. Because faith isn’t just for the extraordinary, it’s for the everyday. And your everyday is exactly where God loves to show up.

Reading Time 2 mins 49 secs – Okay, let’s take a breath. Not everything has to be heavy, and healing doesn’t have to feel impossible or mysterious. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that God actually wants us to feel better. Yes, you included. God Cares About How You Feel We can get so used to pushing through that we forget God never designed us to live burned out, worn out, or always dealing with pain. Third John (NIV) 1:2b says, “ I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well .” God’s heart is not just that we survive life. His heart is that we thrive—spirit, soul, and body. That includes your sleep. That includes your energy. That includes your mind and your moods. Healing Isn’t Just for Emergencies Most of us wait to think about healing until something significant goes wrong. A diagnosis. A surgery. A crisis. However, healing is an integral part of your daily life as a believer. You don’t have to wait for something to fall apart to lean into God’s promises. It’s kind of like drinking water; your body needs it regularly, not just when you're dehydrated. The Word is the same. It brings strength, clarity, and peace to your health before the storm hits. You’re allowed to believe in a life where you’re not constantly recovering—you’re well. Small Shifts, Big Results Maybe you’ve been dealing with something for a while—nothing catastrophic, just something that lingers. A chronic ache. Fatigue. Brain fog. A stress habit that’s hard to shake. Can I encourage you? You don’t have to settle for “just getting by.” Start speaking life over your body. Make simple changes in faith; walk a little more, drink more water, eat a bit better, get quiet with God. Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it happens gently. Daily. Gradually. The power of God isn’t always loud, but it’s always effective. The Best Kind of Doctor He doesn’t rush your appointment. He’s never stumped by your symptoms. And He doesn’t hand you a bill at the end. He simply says, “Come to Me.” Come tired. Come unsure. Come with your questions. And He’ll give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Yes, He heals in big, miraculous ways—but He also heals in little moments of laughter, sunlight, worship, and truth. Let’s Make This Simple Healing isn’t about performance. It’s about proximity—staying close to the Healer. So, take the pressure off today. You’re not failing if you’re still waiting. You’re not disqualified if you’ve had some doubts. You’re growing. You’re learning. And most of all, you’re loved. Let healing be a conversation you have with God, not a crisis you fear. Let it be part of your everyday life with Him, not just a 911 prayer when things feel scary. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that You care about every part of me. You know when I’m tired, hurting, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for being my Healer, not just in emergencies but in the everyday. I receive Your peace and Your promises. I speak life over my body and my mind today, in Jesus’s name. Amen.” Take This with You Healing doesn’t have to feel far away or hard to reach. It’s not reserved for the super spiritual or the desperate. It’s available, it’s real, and it’s for right now. You don’t have to make it complicated. Just take one step. Open the Word, talk to God, speak life over yourself, and trust that He’s working behind the scenes. You don’t have to live in survival mode. You were made for wholeness. And friend? You’re allowed to feel better.