Views: 104
Five Truths to Keep in Mind When Your Life Changes
It has been said the only thing constant is change. It’s a fact of life. Some changes we like; other changes we don’t like. And then sometimes change is so rapid and relentless it leaves us spinning. It can make us feel like we’re in an uncertain “waiting room and unable to get on with life.
That’s why I want to give you some practical guidance from God’s Word about how to trust God during stressful seasons of change.
Here are five things to remember when you are overwhelmed by change:
Change is inevitable. No matter how hard you try to stop change from occurring, situations will continue to change—for good or bad. The Bible says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22).
Change is not always good, but God uses it for good! The Bible says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). What does “all things” include? It includes every circumstance you face, choice you make, consequence you feel, and change you experience.
God’s purpose in every circumstance is to make you more like Jesus. The best picture of Jesus is seen in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22, 23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” God produces these qualities in you by putting you in the opposite situation, teaching you joy in the middle of suffering and peace in the middle of conflict.
Your faith is always tested in every change. Faith during times of change is like a trapeze act. You must let go of something to grasp the new thing God has planned for you. The Bible says, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
God can even use human error and sin. Whether you’re overwhelmed by a wrong decision you made or someone else made, God will use it for his good purposes. It happened to Joseph in the Old Testament after his brothers sold him into slavery. Instead of responding in bitterness, he responded with grace and said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).
Five Truths to Do When Changes Stress You
Some seasons in life are filled with unwanted changes. These changes can make us feel like we’re treading water and can’t get on with our lives. The good news is that God’s Word gives us some practical steps for navigating the many good and bad changes that come our way.
Here are five things to do when you’re overwhelmed by change:
Invest more time alone with God. Instead of fighting changes you can’t control or looking for an easy way out, spend time alone with God. It’s an excellent stabilizer and re-energizer in your life. The Bible says, “[The LORD] Have you not known? Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Ask God to help you see his perspective. Anybody can be informed today, but only wise people seek God’s perspective on current events. And seek Him first. It’s the difference between information and wisdom—and God wants you to handle change with wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Ask God, “What do you want me to learn?” Every situation is an education. So, let God develop your character instead of focusing on why your circumstances are changing. The Bible says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4).
Focus on what never changes. When going through change, let the unchangeable be your anchor. Thankfully, three things will never change in life: God’s love for you, God’s Word, and God’s plan and purpose for you. The Bible says, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11). Keep telling God: “I trust you no matter what.” When you feel like you’re being attacked from every angle, tell God you’re going to trust him, regardless of what’s happening all around you. The Bible says, “Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident…[I will still trust God]” (Psalm 27:3).
