Warning! Unexpected Changes Ahead!
Also, there may be some readers who take issue with how I used Old Testament Scripture to describe how God deals with His people today. Realizing the applicability of dispensational Truth, I have applied Scripture that indicates God’s unchanging character as a reference. I hope readers will understand this as an allowance for application.
Most of us have gone through some unexpected changes recently. And, no doubt, there are more changes ahead. Will we ever be comfortable with things changing… especially unexpectedly? I doubt it. But, we can understand some things that can help us deal with change. Here are some facts about change and its impact on us…
Fact 1: Things change… that’s a fact of life that we all must face. The only thing we know for sure is that things change. Change occurs when you least expect it. Things are rolling along hunky-dory, with everything just fine as far as you can tell and boom – things just decide to blow up due any number of things…
- Changes in people – friends, family, mentors…
- Changes in location, school, classes…
- Changes in you…
- Changes in life!
Change can be brought about due to growth, maturity and godly decision making or it could be something much more tragic like accidents, mistakes, and even sin. Social and cultural shifts brought about by pandemics, economic downturns, inflation, war, and technological advances all can create life changes… Whatever the reason and whatever the cause, we must have a plan for dealing with the change and trying to make the most of it.
Fact 2: Most of us don’t like change and we don’t deal with change very well. Change causes anxiety… change brings on fear… but often times, along with the anxiety and fear change brings excitement and hope. We must acknowledge that change happens and we must also acknowledge that regardless of the change and the circumstances that brought change, life goes on. If we look at change from the right perspective, we can benefit from the change, even difficult and bewildering change that seems to break our world into pieces.
Fact 3: God understands change and will help you get through it. Realizing this fact will help you make the most of any change. God’s Word shows us clearly that we can get through any change with God’s help. Here are seven thoughts from God’s Word that you can remember to help you survive (and even grow as a result of) an unexpected change…
1. Change is a part of life (2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Hebrews 11:1)
Everyone experiences change – you are not alone in your anxiety or fear. But even as change sweeps in and leaves you in a cloud of dust, you can be comforted in knowing that the dust will clear and the sun will shine on you again. Though change may bring its own set of issues, you need not be distressed; you have no need to despair; you are never forsaken; and you will not be destroyed because of it… as long as you keep your hope and faith in God. Remember the definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1 – it is the substance and evidence of things that we cannot see but we hope for.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2. God is in control – even in control of the change (1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 55:8-9)
Even though change may have caught you off guard, God wasn’t surprised by the change. He is “head above all” and knows what happens before it happens. Even better, nothing happens without God first allowing it to happen. This is His world, His universe, and you are an important part of it. He controls all things with a purpose – His purpose. We may not understand it, but we can trust in it. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
3. God is with you through the change (Joshua 1:9; Hebrews 13:5)
Change can make you feel alone and at the end of the world. You might feel that no one could ever know what you are feeling. But God knows. In fact, if you are saved and a member of God’s family, you are not alone. God is with you every step of the way. He has promised to never leave or forsake you. Think about this, would a God that gave His only begotten Son to take your place and pay for your sins ever leave you alone to suffer through a change? No way! It’s not going to happen. He’s there, walking with you and sometimes carrying you through the change.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
4. God is faithful to keep His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9)
The good thing about knowing that God promises to stay with you through difficult times is that He won’t break a promise. The nature of God is that He is faithful. His faithfulness is revealed every day when He gives us new opportunities to serve Him and partake of His blessings. As you experience change, count on God’s promises. Look for opportunities that He provides and recognize His blessings. His faithfulness will see you through.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
5. God doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17)
No matter how much everything else changes, God remains the same. His love doesn’t change. His nature doesn’t change. Our God is an immutable God, meaning that He cannot change. Even though we experience change, God does not experience change. It’s mysterious, but true – even though from our perspective things change, from God’s perspective it’s all the same. Think about what Hebrews 13:8 says about Jesus…
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
6. God has a bigger plan… (Jeremiah 29:11)
There’s more to the story than you see. You live in the moment. It’s not just you, we all live there. That’s why change has such an impact. If we were able to live with eternity in mind, the unexpected changes that occur wouldn’t have such an impact. We would understand that in spite of what might be happening in the moment, there’s bigger things that God has in store. We can’t see what tomorrow will bring. But we can know that tomorrow is part of God’s plan. We can trust that God’s already got it figured out for us and He has our best interest in mind.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
7. God’s plan for you is still working (Romans 8:28-29)
Everything I’ve written up until now leads to this: God is working His plan for you. If you are surrendered to His will for your life, then He is working things together for good. No matter what things look like now, He has a great outcome in store. But, you must remember that these things work together when: 1) you love God – that means you put Him first; 2) you are surrendered to His purpose; 3) you are conforming to the image of Jesus Christ by first trusting Him as Savior and then living for Him.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
in Summary…
Is unexpected change turning your life upside down? Maybe there’s a trust problem there. Maybe your relationship with God isn’t where it needs to be. God has a plan that He is working for you. Here’s the big question – are you part of the plan? If not, you need to get into God’s plan for your life. It starts by trusting Jesus Christ for your salvation. Then, as you grow in His likeness, His peace (a peace that surpasses all of our understanding) will help you through these changes.