I have heard it said that there is only one thing that never changes in life …. and that is the undeniable certainty that something is about to change!
There is a personal problem that is found in that certainty … I am a girl who doesn’t like change!
I love stability in life.
I love the sweet assurance that today holds expected delights … common moments and uninterrupted pleasures.
However, when I see the winds of change about to blow my solid life off its safe and consistent foundation, I am tempted to hide myself in a safe spot until the flux of turmoil passes by.
Does anyone else dread change the same way that I do?!
Children grow up … friends move away … the economy goes up and down … health and strength weaken … jobs come and go … babies are born … and life changes without a warning.
Change.
O.K. … I guess that even I will have to admit it … the one constant that you and I can be certain of in life is that something is about to change!
“The world changes – circumstances change, we change – but God’s Word never changes.” – Wiersbe
God appeared to Abram one day and said, “It’s time for a change, Abram!”
God informed this man of faith that He would not inform Abram where he was going … but that Abram needed to pack up his possessions, his servants, his nephew and his wife and start moving toward the future that God had for him.
“Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1
Why would God do this to Abram?! Why would God do this to ANYONE?!
“And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great and so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:2-4
God initiated the change in Abram’s circumstances for one marvelous reason … God knew that the promised change was for Abram’s best interest!
Imagine that!
God desired to make Abram greater than he could ever be by just hanging out in the comfortable familiarity of his unfluctuating past.
Father really does know best …
“You can endure change by pondering His permanence.” – Max Lucado
When God launches an unexpected change of circumstances … it always contains a priceless blessing for His dear children who have been called to participate in the adjustment.
God-instigated change is the best possible gift in the life of a human being.
However, let’s just admit it … not all change is God-inspired.
Some changes in life simply stink.
Some unexpected changes in life just rip the heart right out of your chest and rob you of that precious spring in your step.
How should a person respond when the change is unwanted and unnecessary?
How should a believer respond when the transition seems unfair and difficult?
How one travels the rapids of transition may just determine how the traveler comes through on the other side of the surprising metamorphosis.
“Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.” – Wiersbe
Allow me to share with you 7 Principles of Change.
These principles will enable you to voyage through your uncharted waters of change with hope in your back pocket and with strength in your heart!
1 – Look for the opportunity in the change. With every change comes the opportunity to grow and even to experience something yet unknown and personally invigorating. Don’t be so stuck in the past that you miss the delight of new opportunities!
2 – Embrace unchangeable principles in the middle of uncertain circumstances. Don’t allow the difficult change in life to alter your core values. Continue to be a person of honor, of faith, of integrity and of hope even when the world is crashing in around you.
“Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.” – Peter Marshall
3 – Don’t focus on what you are losing but focus on what you are gaining. Learn from the past … be thankful for the blessings of yesterday … but hopefully celebrate the possibilities of tomorrow!
4 – Understand that every change, even those that have been made wisely and thoughtfully for the better, always come with drawbacks and disappointments. When you face the drawbacks and disappointments of a wise adjustment, know that you have counted the cost and that it is worth it to move ahead with change.
5 – As you face the change that you have perhaps dreaded, remind yourself what your highest priorities are. Have the courage to say a sweet but firm, “No,” to those things that are mere distractions. Separating priorities from distractions is one of the most powerful choices a person can ever make, whether the winds of change choose to revolutionize your life or not.
6 – Shake off fear and embrace courage. When your only choice is brave, choose brave! Faith is simply a former fear that refuses to be paralyzed by circumstances. Faith is that unshakable substance that has broken away from the surly bonds of timidity and has determined to live without regret!
7 – Rather than panic when the waters of change erupt around you, learn how to surf! That’s right … I dare you! Enjoy the change! Learn how to splash in the waters of transformation and dive into the unstable transition with enthusiasm. Who knows? The change that you are facing just might be the very best thing that has ever happened to you … just ask Abram
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Carol McLeod Ministries
Featured Image by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
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