Some of my "goals" this year were to try to better the areas I struggle with. One of them is how I handle a stressful situation when it is thrown at me! Such as...my husband having to work late when I have to be somewhere or just in general the in convince of things not going as "planned". Well after some research in a time where things aren't going as planned (currently I have been having a terrible allergic reaction to "something" that I'm not sure what and I think now I am allergic to whatever they gave me to try to fix it)! I found that....
      An uncomplicated woman knows that when chaos arrives, she can either add to the chaos and prolong it or she can remain calm and keep the situation from blowing out of proportion. I have a goal to become calm when I see my husband or children getting upset. I am still working on this and certainly do not get it right every time (or very often for that matter).  But I know that I have the power to deescalate a situation and I am trying to learn how to put this power into practice.
How do I bring calm to a chaotic situation?  Well, first is there a way I can avoid it altogether? I have know myself and my children and what my family can handle.  I must learn how to think ahead and think through situations realistically so that possibly, I can avoid a chaotic situation.  This means I understand and accept what stage of life I am in.  If I have young (napping age) children, I am not going to attend a birthday lunch that starts at 1pm. Learning how to avoid chaos means learning how to say no to something that sounds like fun but will have me in a heap that evening or the next day.
But when I do find myself in a chaotic situation, I have to keep my head.  I have to rise above and coach myself…
This situation is really not that bad.
I will not feel like this forever.
I can handle this.
I am a strong woman.
I am bigger than this.
I do not have to win this argument.
And most importantly, I am not alone!  Isaiah 43:2 says
When you pass through the waters, 
I will be with you; 
and when you pass through the rivers,
 they will not sweep over you.
 When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; 
the flames will not set you ablaze.
I can be calm in the midst of chaos because I know that no matter how difficult my situation may seem, I am promised that I do not have to handle it alone.

Part of becoming an uncomplicated woman is learning how to identify when a high stress situation is coming your way so that you can be prepared for it. 
Can I handle these situations?  Or will I cry and complain to everyone in my life about them. 
What about a stressful day?  Can I rise to the challenge of motherhood (a task that I prayed for to begin with!)?  Can I laugh at a tough day?  Can I throw a birthday party or have people over for dinner without making my family miserable all day long as I prepare for guests?  I am cringing as I write this because I have done this so many times.
I may be overloaded, but I am not going to let myself become overwhelmed. Here’s what I have researched and found and am going to work on. 
  1. Anticipate a high stress situation.  Ex: We are having a dinner party and invited 2 families over.
  2. Mentally prepare myself… “I am going to straighten the house but it is going to get messy.  
  3. The kids are going to mess up the play room.  My floors are going to get dirty.  This is ok.  We will have a good time.”
  4. I have the freak out moments in my head.  I just don’t let them come out of my mouth, or in my attitude.
  5. I ask for help.  Whether it is getting my kids to help clean up before company comes over, or asking a friend to help me throw a baby shower instead of doing it all by myself.
I want to be like that Proverbs 31 woman, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” (31:25)