Trusting God in the Midst of Change

In my devotion today, “The Uncomfortable Gift of Elbow Room,” I shared about a change that led to sadness and a season of insecurity in my life. That’s true of all change, though, to some degree.

Every change involves an exchange, the known for the unknown.

Sometimes the unknown is exciting, like a promotion or an anticipated birth or a new next door neighbor that looks like she’s going to be your friend.

But sometimes change is plain painful. A death. A rejection. A disappointment.

There are big changes with huge impact and small ones that may seem insignificant. Either way, can I share a tender truth in the tension of uncertainty…

 

God’s love for us means we can trust that changes in our lives will always be for our good. Even when they don’t feel good. Even when the circumstances didn’t start with good.

In the midst of change, sometimes we have to really search for God’s good, sifting through each moment to find the one grain that sparkles. But it can be done, and here are three practical steps I’ve used to hunt down good and grab it.

Count Your Blessings

Just this week, Barry and I had a some moments of stress and panic when he began having some symptoms that potentially pointed to a life-changing diagnosis.

The night before his appointment, we lay in bed, fingers entwined, and practiced what we’ve always done in times when fear threatens to overtake. We counted our blessings. Back and forth. Back and forth we went, listing out loud the good in our lives.

Even when we can barely whisper the one good thing that comes to mind, the light of thankfulness diminishes the darkness of uncertainty. Thankfully, the news wasn’t what we feared this time, but gratitude will forever be our go-to.

Remember God’s Track Record

Decades ago when I was pregnant with our oldest, I did Knowing God by Henry Blackaby. In his study, Blackaby has participants make a list of “spiritual markers,” times when you’ve seen God at work in your life. It was an amazing exercise. I started listing slowly, but once I began, the momentum increased. I still have that very long list (hmmm… past time to add to it!) tucked inside the Bible I was using during that time.

When change comes and circumstances are unsure, remembering God’s work in our lives steadies us. He’s been faithful in the past, and He won’t fail us now.

Pour Out Your Heart

In Psalm 62: 8, David says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

This point is the hardest for me because I’m a girl who’s most comfortable bringing cheerful to Jesus. That’s my issue, not His. God wants us to bring it all to Him, including our pain, disappointment and anger when change comes. He’s bigger, so He can handle it. I promise.

When we count our blessings, remember God’s track record and pour out our heart to Him, we learn that He’s faithful. We can trust God in the midst of change.

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From now until Christmas, I’m doing a series called “Listen,” and this first part is about leaning in to listen to God. Click here to read the first in the series that came out yesterday and to join us in a fun challenge with a great giveaway!

Click here to make sure you don’t miss a single post in the series as we develop tender hearts and strong voices by learning to listen –> feel –> do –> speak.