Handling change . . .
First, remember that “God will direct your steps.” Proverbs 16:9 The key is . . . we have to let Him.
For most of us we know ahead of time when change is about to happen. But how do we as believers handle unexpected change? First, be assured it isn’t a surprise to God, but I do believe He watches to see how we handle a situation like this when, or if it arises. The only response that will bring honor to the Lord and fill you with complete joy in the process is to give Him the freedom to move you in the direction He chooses. We also need to let go of any fear that keep us from trusting in Him and Him alone.
First, remember that “God will direct your steps.” Proverbs 16:9 The key is . . . we have to let Him.
For most of us we know ahead of time when change is about to happen. But how do we as believers handle unexpected change? First, be assured it isn’t a surprise to God, but I do believe He watches to see how we handle a situation like this when, or if it arises. The only response that will bring honor to the Lord and fill you with complete joy in the process is to give Him the freedom to move you in the direction He chooses. We also need to let go of any fear that keep us from trusting in Him and Him alone.
There are five sure ways to deal with
change regardless of how it happens.
1.
Pray ~ our immediate response should be, stop,
drop and pray, otherwise we’ll be fanning flames that will quickly get out of
control ~ seek the Lord’s face so we can know His direction ~ being careful to
check our motives that they are pure.
- “Even when you ask you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” James 4:3
- “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
- “Even when you ask you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” James 4:3
- “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
2.
Listen ~ be still before Him (Psalm 46:10a) My
prayer has always been, Lord, let me hear Your voice louder than anyone else.
- [Jesus] says to you, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10
- “You will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:12-14
- [Jesus] says to you, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10
- “You will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:12-14
3.
Wait ~ remember His timetable is different
than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Sometimes He
answers with a quick yes or no, but most often its wait. Waiting, although hard produces a strengthening
of our faith.
- “The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.” Ecclesiastes 8:5-6
- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.
1 John 5:14-15
- “The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.” Ecclesiastes 8:5-6
- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.
1 John 5:14-15
4.
Act ~ follow in obedience to His Word.
- “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
- “To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.”
Psalm 3:4
- “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
Deuteronomy 13: 4
- If anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5
- “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
- “To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.”
Psalm 3:4
- “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
Deuteronomy 13: 4
- If anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5
5.
Rest
- “The LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:26
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
- “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
- “The LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:26
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
- “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
