1. Change Brings Growth

While we might be satisfied with the current path we are on, God may have a different plan for us. He is molding us, shaping us, shining us up for our home in eternity. He wants us to grow in the fruits of the Spirit, and to do so, He must put us under pressure. Pressure is how precious things are formed, a prime example being diamonds.

There is much to be gained through the hard times, the suffering, the challenges, and the constant pressure put on you. He welcomes us when we are brought to the place where we can no longer handle the situation. God meets us in our feelings of inability, uncertainty, and emptiness; it’s in those times that He shines. When we admit our physical, mental, and emotional limits, He steps in to remind us we don’t have to confront this world alone.

We were not made to function in this world without God. We are (or we think we are) so capable, intelligent, and independent that we sometimes forget it’s Him who is ultimately in charge. When things are going well, we cruise along thinking, we’ve got this.

It takes life to be shaken up for us to remember, we don’t have this, we don’t have this at all. We are not actually in control of anything, but God is. God will bring change, and God will bring the solution you need. God will be there to comfort you during the adjustments and afterwards, when you look back and praise and thank Him for the hard times, because, oh, look what fruit it brought.

2. There’s Nothing New Under the Sun

Being reminded that others have been through similar situations can be comforting. Look at Abraham. He left the comfort of his land to wander, not knowing where he was going or how long it would take. God brought change to the Israelites as they were rescued from slavery in Egypt, leading to years of wandering in the wilderness.

Jonah resisted change and despised the thought of traveling to Nineveh so much that he tried to head in the opposite direction and ended up in the mouth of a whale.

Human nature and the love of perceived comfort lead us to oppose change. Take Mary, for example. When an angel announced shocking news that she was to birth a son who would reign over Jacob’s descendants forever and be the Son of God, her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Let’s strive to be more like Mary.

Mary knew the consequences of this pregnancy: social shaming, potential loss of her future husband, which also meant her stability, yet she accepted the Lord’s will for her life. What a model for us. Oh, if I could have Mary’s faith and ability to accept change. If we could all lay down our lives and receive His will as this faithful servant did.

What about Joseph, who went from being the favorite son to being thrown into slavery by his own brothers? Talk about dramatic change! However, it led to God saving His people from starvation. God’s plans are always bigger than ours, and we don’t always have visibility to understand them; that’s where trust and obedience step in.

3. A Reflective Heart

The world will tell you to look within, to reflect and act on what your heart is telling you. Jesus said, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” (Mark 7:15-16)

“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)

Ouch! That verse hurts. Are we saying that the world is incorrect, and we shouldn’t look within to find our way? Correct! All those sinful things listed above come from within us. We are sinners in need of help. We cannot do it on our own. We must look to the Trinity.

The Lord, through the Holy Spirit, is the only one who can change our sinful hearts. Through His sacrifice, He provides a way for us to grow and change. It is only through Jesus that our sinful ways and hearts will be cleansed.

Wow! What a different message from the world. Don’t look within, look to Him for the ability to be ok with change. Ask Him what He is inviting you into, where He wants you to grow. What fruit of the Spirit do you need to develop? Jesus will show you. It might bring about some unwanted change in your life, but it will be for your good and His glory.

4. Where to Find Consistency

There is one place you can be guaranteed to find stability. There is one source that will never change. God. God is the One who is completely consistent. He is the One source of truth that will never change.

He is who He says He is. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

If you want consistency in your life, the only place to find it is in Jesus. He goes with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He is holy, wise, full of truth, merciful, forgiving, loving, strong, powerful, and the list goes on and on. He is incapable of going against these qualities. He literally cannot change from who He is.

When you desire steadiness in this ever-changing and evolving world, there is only one place to find it: in Him.

Think about your home. The place you go to recharge, refuel, and rest. After a long day out living your life, it is the dwelling place you retreat to. While your day might have been horrible, your warm abode is waiting for you to reset.

Think of God that way. He is our true home, our resting place away from the challenges and evil of this world. Let your soul rest in Him. (Matthew 11:28-30)

5. How to Be Okay with Change

Maybe what needs to change is our mindset about change. Maybe change isn’t so bad after all; it’s just the way we view it that needs a little tweaking.

Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens unless something is moved.”

When you reflect on your life, consider how God may have redirected things without your approval. You can usually find the growth in those situations. If life didn’t change, would you be growing like you are? If you weren’t thrust into tough situations, would God be able to mold and develop you into the Christian you need to be?

What if we looked at change as a good thing? Instead of trying to hold tight to everything, welcome the change as it comes. Look at the alterations as a blessing for us to continue through God’s plan for our life.

When change comes, try to find the opportunities. What openings have now been created? Our mindsets are a tough thing to change, but it’s possible.

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” (Socrates)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Take your resistance with change to God. Pray for His help in changing your mindset regarding the variation life might bring your way. He is there to guide you as you develop a new way of viewing change. I’m not saying this will be easy, but it’s possible.

Here is to facing change head-on and embracing the learning opportunities and growth that God has ordained for us.

Related:

5 Prayers for Women Struggling with Transition

How to Brave the Changes That Come Your Way

Change in our lives is inevitable, whether it is a change we desire, like a new job or a new city, or one thrust upon us, like the loss of a loved one or a challenge to our health. Either way, we get to choose who we become as a result of these changes in our lives. Change is a powerful teacher, shaping and molding us more into the likeness of Christ as we let it do its work. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

1. Change Brings Growth

While we might be satisfied with the current path we are on, God may have a different plan for us. He is molding us, shaping us, shining us up for our home in eternity. He wants us to grow in the fruits of the Spirit, and to do so, He must put us under pressure. Pressure is how precious things are formed, a prime example being diamonds.

There is much to be gained through the hard times, the suffering, the challenges, and the constant pressure put on you. He welcomes us when we are brought to the place where we can no longer handle the situation. God meets us in our feelings of inability, uncertainty, and emptiness; it’s in those times that He shines. When we admit our physical, mental, and emotional limits, He steps in to remind us we don’t have to confront this world alone.

We were not made to function in this world without God. We are (or we think we are) so capable, intelligent, and independent that we sometimes forget it’s Him who is ultimately in charge. When things are going well, we cruise along thinking, we’ve got this.

It takes life to be shaken up for us to remember, we don’t have this, we don’t have this at all. We are not actually in control of anything, but God is. God will bring change, and God will bring the solution you need. God will be there to comfort you during the adjustments and afterwards, when you look back and praise and thank Him for the hard times, because, oh, look what fruit it brought.

2. There’s Nothing New Under the Sun

Being reminded that others have been through similar situations can be comforting. Look at Abraham. He left the comfort of his land to wander, not knowing where he was going or how long it would take. God brought change to the Israelites as they were rescued from slavery in Egypt, leading to years of wandering in the wilderness.

Jonah resisted change and despised the thought of traveling to Nineveh so much that he tried to head in the opposite direction and ended up in the mouth of a whale.

Human nature and the love of perceived comfort lead us to oppose change. Take Mary, for example. When an angel announced shocking news that she was to birth a son who would reign over Jacob’s descendants forever and be the Son of God, her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Let’s strive to be more like Mary.

Mary knew the consequences of this pregnancy: social shaming, potential loss of her future husband, which also meant her stability, yet she accepted the Lord’s will for her life. What a model for us. Oh, if I could have Mary’s faith and ability to accept change. If we could all lay down our lives and receive His will as this faithful servant did.

What about Joseph, who went from being the favorite son to being thrown into slavery by his own brothers? Talk about dramatic change! However, it led to God saving His people from starvation. God’s plans are always bigger than ours, and we don’t always have visibility to understand them; that’s where trust and obedience step in.

3. A Reflective Heart

The world will tell you to look within, to reflect and act on what your heart is telling you. Jesus said, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” (Mark 7:15-16)

“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)

Ouch! That verse hurts. Are we saying that the world is incorrect, and we shouldn’t look within to find our way? Correct! All those sinful things listed above come from within us. We are sinners in need of help. We cannot do it on our own. We must look to the Trinity.

The Lord, through the Holy Spirit, is the only one who can change our sinful hearts. Through His sacrifice, He provides a way for us to grow and change. It is only through Jesus that our sinful ways and hearts will be cleansed.

Wow! What a different message from the world. Don’t look within, look to Him for the ability to be ok with change. Ask Him what He is inviting you into, where He wants you to grow. What fruit of the Spirit do you need to develop? Jesus will show you. It might bring about some unwanted change in your life, but it will be for your good and His glory.

4. Where to Find Consistency

There is one place you can be guaranteed to find stability. There is one source that will never change. God. God is the One who is completely consistent. He is the One source of truth that will never change.

He is who He says He is. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

If you want consistency in your life, the only place to find it is in Jesus. He goes with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He is holy, wise, full of truth, merciful, forgiving, loving, strong, powerful, and the list goes on and on. He is incapable of going against these qualities. He literally cannot change from who He is.

When you desire steadiness in this ever-changing and evolving world, there is only one place to find it: in Him.

Think about your home. The place you go to recharge, refuel, and rest. After a long day out living your life, it is the dwelling place you retreat to. While your day might have been horrible, your warm abode is waiting for you to reset.

Think of God that way. He is our true home, our resting place away from the challenges and evil of this world. Let your soul rest in Him. (Matthew 11:28-30)

5. How to Be Okay with Change

Maybe what needs to change is our mindset about change. Maybe change isn’t so bad after all; it’s just the way we view it that needs a little tweaking.

Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens unless something is moved.”

When you reflect on your life, consider how God may have redirected things without your approval. You can usually find the growth in those situations. If life didn’t change, would you be growing like you are? If you weren’t thrust into tough situations, would God be able to mold and develop you into the Christian you need to be?

What if we looked at change as a good thing? Instead of trying to hold tight to everything, welcome the change as it comes. Look at the alterations as a blessing for us to continue through God’s plan for our life.

When change comes, try to find the opportunities. What openings have now been created? Our mindsets are a tough thing to change, but it’s possible.

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” (Socrates)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Take your resistance with change to God. Pray for His help in changing your mindset regarding the variation life might bring your way. He is there to guide you as you develop a new way of viewing change. I’m not saying this will be easy, but it’s possible.

Here is to facing change head-on and embracing the learning opportunities and growth that God has ordained for us.

Related:

5 Prayers for Women Struggling with Transition

How to Brave the Changes That Come Your Way

Change in our lives is inevitable, whether it is a change we desire, like a new job or a new city, or one thrust upon us, like the loss of a loved one or a challenge to our health. Either way, we get to choose who we become as a result of these changes in our lives. Change is a powerful teacher, shaping and molding us more into the likeness of Christ as we let it do its work. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!