Change

Change. There’s so many favorite sayings and pet phrases about change. Change is good. Change is hard. Don’t change. Never stop changing. Everyone has an opinion on it. You have to change or you can’t change. All change is good or all change is evil. The fact is that change is just that, change. It’s different, it’s scary, it can be hard, it can be great or it can be awful.

Change in and of itself isn’t good or bad, it just is. Your reactions to it can play a huge factor in how it turns out but change is going to happen one way or the other. Life never stands still. It’s just not how life works. Sometimes we wish it would but that’s not how the good Lord chose to make it. So it changes, and like it or not, we change with it. Every decision you make and every circumstance you go through changes and shapes who you are. That’s life!

Sometimes change is something we pray for. A new job, a new place to live, a new relationship, or even just a way out of a tough circumstance. Sometimes we pray so much for change that when we finally get it we don’t know what to do next.

So let’s break it down and look at some of the ways that changes can make you feel.

Recently my family made the tough decision that after fourteen years of running a small business they are going to close it in order to pursue other opportunities. That’s a huge change!

Is it scary? Sure. After all that family business has been a huge part of my life for all these years. Closing the door on such a huge chapter of your life is always going to be a little scary but God promises to walk through those changes with us.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It’s also exciting. Doing something new, pursuing new opportunities and seeing what God has in store for us is always exciting. You may not know what’s going to happen next but neither did many heroes of the faith in the Bible. Take Abraham for instance,

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’”

Genesis 12:1

“I’m sure Abram (whose name was later changed to Abraham) was scared but I imagine there was also some excitement. The Most High God was calling him on a new adventure! That’s pretty exciting!

It’s hard. Change is hard. I don’t like to change. I like my plans and schedules and if I have to do something new then I want tons of times to prepare and come up with a strategy but that doesn’t always happen. That’s when I have to cling to the promises of Hebrews 13:6.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

The fact is that if we’re following God no matter how hard things get He will see us through. It may not be in a way we like but that goes back to change being a part of life. Even when it’s hard God can still use it for good.

Last but not least change can be great or it can be awful. Sometimes it’s great for a season then it turns awful. Or the most awful thing we can imagine happening turns out to be the greatest thing in our lives. This is where one my favorite verses Matthew 6:33 has something to say.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

If we’re seeking God first in all we do then He’ll take care of us. It won’t always be in the way we want or expect. Jesus never promised us an easy life but He’ll never abandon us. He’ll always be with us and He’ll take care of us. Even when we can’t see His hand at work.

The fact is that change happens. It can be a much anticipated change or one comes that out of nowhere but change isn’t something to fear. It’s a tool that can and will remind you of God’s promises—if you let it.