Change: How Should We Respond
As a little girl, I spent a lot of time at my grandma’s house, which she kept neat, orderly, and spotless. I could easily unload the dishwasher because I knew where every dish and utensil belonged. I could run through the dining room, into the living room, and jump onto my grandpa’s lap with hardly a thought, because his chair was always in the same place. (And after work, Papa was always in his chair.) We watched Wheel of Fortune after dinner, the Cosby Show on Thursday evenings, and the nightly news at 11. The routines and schedules were clear, predictable, and comfortable.
It wasn’t until I was older, probably in my late teens, that I learned the reason behind all of that: my grandpa hated change! Apparently, there was one occasion when my grandma brought home a new silverware caddy. It fit in the drawer in the opposite direction of their older caddy, placing the knives where the forks had once been and the forks where the spoons used to rest. It unnerved Papa so much, that she returned the new caddy and continued using the old one! She rarely rearranged furniture, and he always wore the same brand of dress shirt. Anything that could be kept the same, was.
No wonder I so frequently balk at change. It seems that my nature is much like my grandpa’s; I want for my life to be steady and routine - or boring and dull, as my husband perceives it. He much prefers to try new things, to live in different places, and to expand his opportunities as much as possible. I’ve learned to adapt to that. I don’t always like the novel experiences immediately, but I come around pretty quickly. Still, I would never choose those changes for myself.
And so, when God brings a change into my life, a willing, submissive response can be hard for me to find. Sometimes the changes are small, like a new silverware caddy. At other times, they are large, like a cross-country move, a shift in ministry, or another child leaving our nest. When my heart feels lost and I struggle to find my bearings, then I know that I specifically need to look into the Word of God to help me adjust my thinking.
Here are a few anchoring principles that help me
Although our circumstances may be changing, God is not. He never has and He never will. The same God that created the world, brought Israel through the Red Sea, and raised Jesus from the dead is the One caring for you every day.
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)
God is faithful to me - and to you. God is not a flawed, imperfect human. He does not make mistakes, He doesn’t forget, and He never leaves His children.
"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.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
“God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:9)
God’s promises are never failing. God Himself is true and faithful; therefore, His promises are also true and faithful.
“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.” (I Kings 8:56)
“For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” (II Corinthians 1:20)
God has a good plan for each one of us. Yes, He is great and mighty, but He is also good and kind.
“God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.” (II Samuel 22:33)
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)
God will use the changes in our lives for His glory. He does not just arbitrarily bring hardship or trial into our lives. His purposes are far beyond our understanding, but we can always trust Him.
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to everyone that is to come.” (Psalm 71:18)
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21)
God wants us to learn to depend on Him (not on a routine). We silly humans often think that we can control things that we really can’t. Instead, we must rely upon God, the One who actually has power over everything!
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
“Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” (Psalm 37:34)
In our world today, change is inevitable. It seems to be coming faster and more frequently than ever, from every direction and in every arena. Don’t allow these things to distract you from truth. God’s never-changing Word anchors our hearts and minds to Him. Crawl up into His lap - or run and jump into it! Bury your fears and concerns in His all-powerful, ever-present, omniscient love for you, and be comforted by Him.