Malachi 3:6
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Dearest Ladies,
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!
Today is Inauguration Day. While watching the events of the day unfold, I was struck with a sobering realization. Change is inevitable!!!!
Change happens within us and around us on a daily basis but we still struggle with change. Change produces both good and bad stress in us. Change can trigger anxiety and stress. And, change can inspire excitement and enthusiasm.
Sometimes it's relatively easy to embrace change and other times it's difficult to do so! It's particularly difficult to embrace the 'newness' of change because there is an inherent familiar comfort in the 'old.' So, our nature fights against change. And, even when change is welcomed, it is not welcomed without the accompanying nervousness and jitters about the uncertainties of the future.
It was surreal watching incoming President and Mrs. Trump and their staff stand on the steps of the Capitol Building as they waved goodbye to the outgoing President and Mrs. Obama whom departed via helicopter. As the President said, "it was like a scene from a movie set." The moment of departure proved to be a bittersweet moment for many. Emotions ran high. Again, I was reminded that change is not only inherent in government and politics but also in life. Change is one of a few things that is guaranteed in life......
......My mind drifted to our struggles as survivors. The news of divorce initiates a lot of unwelcome change. It's a sickening experience to lose one's husband, one's marriage, one's intact nuclear family, one's financial, emotional, and mental support, one's holidays and Summer vacations with the kiddos, one's hope, one's dreams, one's home, one's community, and one's support of in-laws and friends etc. Thank God that crushing, catastrophic change, like divorce, doesn't permanently defeat us. The consequential changes of divorce are innumerable. And, the changes fluctuate during post-divorce recovery and beyond. But, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus!
Initially, change is very painful. In fact, many months and years after divorce, change is still very visceral and hard. The path of healing and restoration is long. But, keep moving forward. Coals are crushed into diamonds. Sand is burned into glass. The Lord is reviving us as we undergo change. Consider 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." Remember, God is working ALL of our changes together for good......
......The sizzling, syncopated sounds of the marching bands commanded my attention. The parade lasted long into the evening. After the Inauguration Parade, many folks scattered to balls, parties, and other festivities. I'm sure some others made a beeline home or to their hotels. Sadly, hundreds of others took to the streets to protest the Trump presidency. Angry, volatile individuals commenced to set D.C. ablaze as they ranted and raved about their distresses. I hung my head with dissatisfaction. My dissatisfaction only intensified concerning notification of protests scheduled for tomorrow. I was acutely reminded once again that change is difficult. Change is very difficult but gratefully we have Heavenly comfort and hope.
Ladies, I believe that God allows change so that we can practice and perfect depending on Him. Change protects us from the consequences of our sin nature. We have a tendency to take control and resist anything that undermines our control, our thoughts, and our ways. "Running a tight ship is good" my grandmother would say BUT, any endeavor that we can complete without God is erroneous. We were created for God's glory. We were created to glorify Him in all that we do.
I also believe that sometimes God allows things to get out-of-OUR-control so that we have the opportunity to look up from our situations and circumstances and re-assess the source of our help. Please consider the following scripture:
Psalm 121 KJV
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
God is our help!!!! The One who made Heaven and Earth is our only refuge and fortress. The Lord is our assurance. As we live and abide in Him, the effects of change in our lives are less overwhelming and not all-consuming.
Aside from the transfer of power in our nation, we all are grappling with challenges and changes. My hope for you (and yours) is simple. I pray that you fiercely cling to our unchanging Almighty God in the face of changes in your life. God never changes yet He alone has remedies for every change that we will encounter. Draw close to God! Cry out to Him.
The Lord both authors and allows change. Change is another discipling and refining tool in His hand. Dearest Ladies, submit to God. He is capable, able, and willing to help you successfully navigate good and bad changes. Please join me in praying for our nation and our leaders. We all need to turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in order to weather the national and international changes up ahead.
Love and blessings
Hugs
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