Change Always Happens

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. — James 1:17 NIV

Everything you have, from your health to your friendships to a roof over your head to the food in your belly, is a gift from God. And we even have something else to be thankful for: that God doesn’t change! I love that about Him.

We can hold tight to our never-changing God and be okay because, in every other area of life, change is pretty much guaranteed. And you know what?

Brave people are willing to let go of everything as they hold tight to God, even when things start to change.

In the last three months, I have seen the most change in my personal and professional life that I’ve ever had. For my counselor, I listed every North Star person (you know, a person who is important to you and gives you guidance) who has left my life in the last three months, and the number is seven. Seven.

And you know what? It’s okay.

If I chose to live in a world where I hated change all the time, I would be really miserable. If I chose to put all my hope in people, I would be really miserable. (I’ve tried both. It’s always miserable.)

I don’t love change, but I know that God is always working for my good. So I can say, “Man, this is the worst!” But I have a totally trustworthy God who is looking out for me.

Does God need a reminder that He has all this under control? No, friend. He doesn’t. You do. I definitely do. We all do.

Remembering that He’s the boss and His plans are for our good and He loves us? That can make us brave, even when everything that felt secure seems to be changing.

Be Brave: List a few changes you’ve seen in your life lately. How are you seeing God use these changes to shape you?

Brave people are willing to let go of everything as they hold tight to God, even when things start to change.

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PREPARE FOR CHANGE

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 NIV

We never get shocked when the seasons change. Like, when summer goes to fall, I’m not surprised. Why? Because I look at calendars and notice the weather patterns and see the advertisements that are telling me to buy boots. I can prepare. I do prepare. When winter comes, we make sure we have boots and a coat, right? Because we’re always prepared for that change.

Can we do that in our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives too?

I’m right on the heels of a season that was pretty much defined by nothing but change. All summer long, the Lord was like, “Change is coming… change is coming.”

I even wrote it in my journal. Multiple times.

And as the seasons have played out, I’ve thought, Oh. You’re really kind to me, God. I was mentally prepared for change, because God told me to be, so when the change actually happened, it didn’t send me into a pit.

So where does our bravery play into this?

Look at today’s verse. Whatever change may be coming, Jesus never changes.

We can be brave because Jesus is constant, even when our circumstances are not.

I need that reminder — that just as
the seasons change on earth, they are
going to change in my life. And when I
start to sense that little bit of shift, like
the first hints of fall or the first hot summer day that always comes on the backside of spring, I have to prepare and see it coming and know it’s all part of the journey.

How do you prepare?

Spend time in God’s Word. Spend time talking to Him — the unchanging One. Trust Him, keep your eyes on Him, and walk out the path. Let the seasons change, and let your heart change with them.

Be Brave: Write a prayer to God, thanking Him that He does not change.

Excerpted with permission from 100 Days to Brave by Annie Downs, copyright Annie F. Downs.

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Your Turn

Are you holding tight to things that are changing? Change is hard! But it is guaranteed. And, we don’t want to be miserable when it happens. Let’s hold tight to Jesus instead of circumstances, possessions, people, and things that are promised to change. Come share your thoughts on what the Bible says about change on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily