Welcome to the 13th day of September 2021! I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! This week’s devotion is “Weathering Change” written by Stephanie Miller! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today! I hope that the Lord blesses you each with an awesome week!!!
Last month when I was asked to write a devotional for the “Helpers of Joy” page, I was beyond surprised. You see, I have only met Amy once in my life. I was going through a very hard time and honestly felt like I was alone and could trust no one outside of my family. I’m not sure if Amy could see this or not but she approached me at a lady’s retreat and told me about her ministry for pastors’ wives and asked for my phone number. I don’t usually give my number out to strangers but for some reason that day I did. The very next weekend I was surprised to see that little bit of encouragement she so faithfully sends out each week pop up on my phone. It was like a breath of fresh air; it was exactly what I needed. Over the last few years, like many of you, I have had the privilege of watching Amy weather the ups and downs of life so gracefully.
As I prayerfully considered what direction the Lord would have me go with this devotional the Lord gently led me to the subject of ‘Change’. I sweetly told the Lord that the subject of change was good, but I was thinking about doing something else. After going back and forth with the Lord a few times and suggesting a few other topics, I decided to settle on the subject of ‘Change.’ Isn’t it amazing how God works! 😊
Change is not something new, it is not something that has come about over the last year and a half simply because of COVID. Although there has been a lot of change for many of us during this time; change is something that happens to each of us whether its expected or unexpected, whether we are prepared or unprepared, whether we are walking close to the Lord or not walking with Him at all.
Sometimes we can do everything in our power to be ready for change but when that change finally comes it often seems to knock the wind out of us. From Adam and Eve to the Apostle Paul, the Bible is full of people who had to weather change in their lives. Today, I simply want to share a few things that I’ve learned over the years about weathering change in my life.
When Weathering Change:
REMEMBER THE LORD AND ALL HE HAS DONE!
Psalm 77:10-12 KJV “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”
When change comes it is easy to focus on the change itself. The problem is that when we are focused on the change that focus will bring uncertainty, and that uncertainty will bring worry, and that worry often brings fear. But when our focus is on the God of change; that change no longer seems so uncertain and we can rest knowing He is in control.
REMEMBER TO SEEK THE LORD!
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 KJV “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.”
1 Chronicles 16:10 KJV “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”
I found this in the Websters 1828 Dictionary, “To seek God, his name, or his face, in Scripture, is to ask for his favor, direction and assistance.” If we remember to seek the Lord through the change that comes in our lives and leave the results in His hands then we will have cause to rejoice. This sounds so simple, but how often do we try to control the outcome instead of giving the outcome to Christ?
REMEMBER TO TRUST THE PROMISES THAT GOD’S GIVEN YOU!
2 Peter 3:9 KJV “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
When we are facing change in our lives it is a comfort to cling to the promises of God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises to cling to, so dig in! With my oldest daughter now at college I have been clinging to this promise.
Psalm 84:11 KJV “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
How does this apply you may wonder? This verse reminds me that if my daughter seeks the Lord, He will take care of her. He will not withhold any good thing from her. Her life will be a life full of blessings, and I can rest knowing that she is in His hands.
Malachi 3:6 KJV “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
In a world that is full of change, it is a comfort to know that we serve a God that does not change.
https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/weathering-change-stephanie-miller
