Changes Happen: How Can You Grow Through Them?
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecc. 3:1”
“My dear, the years will go by so fast,” spoke a sweet grandma standing beside me in the church nursery as I wrestled to change my son’s diaper.”
My unspoken response? “Right! I don’t think this will ever end!”
But, of course, it did.
When we’re in a stressful season, it’s easy to feel hopeless. Whether it’s the unending diapers, a boring job, little money, sickness, negative family situations, loneliness, or unfulfilled longings, it’s easy to assume your situation will never change.
It’s also easy to assume the opposite, that when life is going well: Good friends, family, fun times and fulfilling work, that it will always stay that way.
The fact is, life never stays the same. King Solomon reminds us: “To everything there is a season…”
Just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons in our lives:
Physically: A baby takes its first steps… enters high school… goes to work or college. We age. Hopefully, we mature and make wise choices.
Relationships change: Families fracture. Friends move away. Divorce happens. Shared interests change. We grow as we process what happened, neither blaming nor excusing but seeking to understand.
Loss happens: Parents and other loved ones pass on. A dream, a goal, a longing remains beyond reach. We grieve, yet also live with gratitude.
Occupations change: A job loss or a promotion invites spiritual, emotional and personal growth.
My unspoken response? “Right! I don’t think this will ever end!”
But, of course, it did.
When we’re in a stressful season, it’s easy to feel hopeless. Whether it’s the unending diapers, a boring job, little money, sickness, negative family situations, loneliness, or unfulfilled longings, it’s easy to assume your situation will never change.
It’s also easy to assume the opposite, that when life is going well: Good friends, family, fun times and fulfilling work, that it will always stay that way.
The fact is, life never stays the same. King Solomon reminds us: “To everything there is a season…”
Just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons in our lives:
Physically: A baby takes its first steps… enters high school… goes to work or college. We age. Hopefully, we mature and make wise choices.
Relationships change: Families fracture. Friends move away. Divorce happens. Shared interests change. We grow as we process what happened, neither blaming nor excusing but seeking to understand.
Loss happens: Parents and other loved ones pass on. A dream, a goal, a longing remains beyond reach. We grieve, yet also live with gratitude.
Occupations change: A job loss or a promotion invites spiritual, emotional and personal growth.
In addition to the normal changes in all our lives, there are also NECESSARY ENDINGS that God initiates to accomplish His purposes.
We see this in the life of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses—as well as in the life of Jesus.
ABRAHAM: God stepped into Abraham’s life and called him to get up and go to a new land. Without his obedience, he would never have become a blessing to the world. For this to happen required a NECESSARY ENDING to what was familiar and comfortable. (Genesis 12) How about you? Is God calling you to a NECESSARY ENDING in your life – to step out from the familiar and follow His call?
JOSEPH: God gave him dreams that would come true, but Joseph was not ready for that future—so He began to shape his character, deepen his faith, expand his awareness that the Lord was with him. (Genesis 37-50) How about you? Might God be using your painful trials to deepen and expand what He plans to do with your life?
MOSES: To become the Deliverer of God’s people, Moses needed to become dependent on God and emptied of his self-sufficiency and reckless actions. His time in the desert was a NECESSARY ENDING, resulting in God’s call and promise to use his life beyond anything he could have dreamed of. How about you? Is God shaping you through pruning, a hurtful experience, an ending that is necessary because He has a new role ahead for you?
You might long for change in your life, or dread it and hope things always stay the same. Regardless, growth comes when you have the courage to evaluate your attitudes and actions and make necessary changes.
Are you facing a NECESSARY ENDING, from God’s perspective? Is He calling you to trust He is for you, He is leading you, He has good plans for you? Will you take that plunge, a step of faith and say YES, Lord, I want to walk with You into this new path you have for me?
I’m praying you prayerfully process the inevitable changes in your life and see the hand of God leading you into a closer walk with Him.
Peace and joy to you,
Poppy
We see this in the life of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses—as well as in the life of Jesus.
ABRAHAM: God stepped into Abraham’s life and called him to get up and go to a new land. Without his obedience, he would never have become a blessing to the world. For this to happen required a NECESSARY ENDING to what was familiar and comfortable. (Genesis 12) How about you? Is God calling you to a NECESSARY ENDING in your life – to step out from the familiar and follow His call?
JOSEPH: God gave him dreams that would come true, but Joseph was not ready for that future—so He began to shape his character, deepen his faith, expand his awareness that the Lord was with him. (Genesis 37-50) How about you? Might God be using your painful trials to deepen and expand what He plans to do with your life?
MOSES: To become the Deliverer of God’s people, Moses needed to become dependent on God and emptied of his self-sufficiency and reckless actions. His time in the desert was a NECESSARY ENDING, resulting in God’s call and promise to use his life beyond anything he could have dreamed of. How about you? Is God shaping you through pruning, a hurtful experience, an ending that is necessary because He has a new role ahead for you?
You might long for change in your life, or dread it and hope things always stay the same. Regardless, growth comes when you have the courage to evaluate your attitudes and actions and make necessary changes.
Are you facing a NECESSARY ENDING, from God’s perspective? Is He calling you to trust He is for you, He is leading you, He has good plans for you? Will you take that plunge, a step of faith and say YES, Lord, I want to walk with You into this new path you have for me?
I’m praying you prayerfully process the inevitable changes in your life and see the hand of God leading you into a closer walk with Him.
Peace and joy to you,
Poppy