Key scripture – The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you …’ So Abram went, as the LORD had told him.” (Genesis 12:1-2a, 4a NIV).

When a change in your life happens, that is not good, do you immediately think, “This is one change I could do without!”

If you’re like a lot of us we have spent much of life viewing unwanted change with crossed arms and stomping feet. Just when your life is settled and moving along well, something comes along and knocks the wind out of you:

The person you married, who was supposed to stay, left.

The place that was “home,” is no longer your address.

The boss you showed your best work to, showed you the door.

The doctor just told you that you have a life threatening illness.

The operation you had that was supposed to help you fell better, did not work.

When monumental moments like those fall into your life, they stand like a stone in your pathway blocking your contentment. Within the darkness of your fears, you think, “It’ll take a miracle to get things back to the way they were.” That is when you need to remember what Jesus said; “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

Instead of fighting the reality of change in your life, change your prayers from: “God, remove this change from my life, to a new perspective; God, remove my bad attitude that I have toward this change. Show me what You want me to learn from this change and what You want to change in me.”

Sometimes, you need to find a new song to sing. You need new lyrics to redirect your attention away from your fears to the faithful promises of God, like these:

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:10, 15, 17, 19-20, 22).

“The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” (Psalm 118:6-8).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10-13).

In Genesis 12, when God asks Abram to leave his home for a new, unfamiliar land, He gave Abram a promise to hold onto during the weary transition. A promise to bless Abram through the change. And you know what? God does the same for you and me as He did for Abram. “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:29, NLT).

If God is sending you to a new place, He is also sending you with a promise of blessing, and a promise that He is there with you and that He will never forsake or abandon you.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you or abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

The best thing you and I can do is, like Abram, obey God by trusting Him and leaning and relying on Him and His Word during the change, rather than fighting it, and complaining and murmuring.

Whether you experience transition under your feet, in your heart, or both, the Lord is using it for you, not against you. He is bringing you to a new place for the purpose of blessing you. You can trust that the change is not a life hindrance, but a life occurrence, acting as a stepping-stone toward God’s best for you. “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12).

It’s ok to mourn the loss that change brings, but don’t stay in mourning, because change is not the end. A new song, sung to the tune of God’s promises and to the steady rhythm of His grace, is the blessing that you will find as a result of the change. You will look back and thank God for the change because it revealed more of the Knowledge of God to You and made you more like Jesus. “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You that while unwanted change is a surprise to me, it’s not a surprise to You. Thank You for being my safe place where I can share my fears about this change. Help me to believe that if You’re allowing something that I never fathomed would happen in my life, it’s because You’re working something unfathomably good for me through it. Father, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:2). No matter what this day brings, like the Psalmist, I will, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (Psalm 96:1-2). In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.