Change
Change is always a challenge, isn’t it?
When it is time to change jobs … or to change homes … or to change schools … there are always reams of red tape and paper work that must be accomplished in order to facilitate the impending change.
Yes, my friend, change is a definite challenge.
When my home transformed from one that was filled with the noise of children, loads of laundry and a sink filled with a never-ending supply of dirty dishes into a home that stayed clean and quiet … it was hard.
It was so, so hard.
But change is inevitable.
Change can also be powerful.
Change is often magnificent.
“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different?!” – C. S. Lewis
I have often had to train my mind to see the hidden good in every changing and turbulent situation in life.
I have had to go looking for treasure when the winds of transition were blowing.
Sometimes a new job means a higher income, a better schedule and new friends!
A new home might mean more space, a lower mortgage or a new neighborhood to explore.
A different school could potentially usher in a terrific teacher, a healthy peer group or better academics.
An empty nest will present the added time to spend on personal interests, the ability to travel more and even the time to invest in one’s marriage.
I have heard it said that, “The best view comes after the hardest climb,” and I do believe those words to be true.
If I keep looking backwards, while longing for yesterday and the ways things used to be, I will never become the person that I was meant to be all along.
Change can bring out the best in us … or the worst in us.
We choose what we will reveal when change occurs:
Cheerfulness … or chagrin.
Anger … or anticipation.
Worry … or worship.
Fear … or fortitude.
“Nothing changes if nothing changes.”
Oh … I’ll admit … that not all change is good or even healthy … but change is inevitable.
I must remind myself often that although I am not able to change my circumstances, I can change my attitudes.
“You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.” – Warren Wiersbe
One of the most important attitudes to embrace while going through a season of change is that of courage.
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.” – Psalm 46:2
When change uproots your personal world, walk boldly forward with your eyes and your heart set firmly on the One who will never change!
“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” – I Samuel 15:29
Refuse to give in to the fear and the anxiety that transition stirs up and remind yourself over and over again that your life is in the hands of the One who is the Anchor of time and eternity.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
His plan is certain … His ways are good … His will is redemptive … and His power is available!
How wonderful is that?!!
Change is happening in America this week and not everyone is happy about it … while others are cheering in the city streets.
This is what I know to be true:
The Father is not surprised.
He hears us when we pray.
The government rests upon His shoulders.
All power and authority belong to Him.
He works all things together for good and for His glory.
“The seasons change and you change, but the Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad and as full as ever.” – Charles Spurgeon
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!