I do ‘change’ for a living. I help companies install new computer systems, redesign business processes to be more efficient, train employees on how to do their job differently, find new ways to look at data for improved decision-making. My job is all about being an ambassador for change. Change is good, I always say.
Yet, when change hits my own life, I don’t always find it as easy to accept. Status quo is nice – it’s known, it’s safe, it’s comfortable. Change means facing something new, sometimes something unexpected or unwanted. It can take us places we never wanted to go.
What is your default response to change – fight, flight or prayer?
What about you? How do you respond when change hits? Getting married, bringing a child into your family, taking a new job, getting laid off from a job, moving to another city, you or someone you love getting sick, someone close to you dying? These are just a few examples of changes that can happen in our lives. What’s your initial reaction to change? Do you look at it as an opportunity, a chance to grow or try something new, or are you resistant, fearful, overwhelmed?
Several years ago, I watched a friend from high school go through an incredibly difficult pregnancy. She blogged about her journey through this pregnancy, through all the dire diagnoses and predictions from the doctors.
What drew me in the most, though, was her approach to the whole experience. She was inexplicably full of joy and hope about her pregnancy, at peace with whatever the outcome would be. I remember her writing that this child would have a testimony, even if she didn’t live past birth. What a way to face such a heart-wrenching change in your life!
I started to wonder how she was so able to face this journey with joy and hope. How could she be so positive in the face of such so many unknowns, so many potential tragic outcomes?
The answer was her faith. She had cultivated a deep faith in God well before this change hit her life and she was able to draw on it to sustain her through this challenge. She trusted so completely in God that she knew He could make something good come from this experience, no matter the outcome.
Through faith, we can reset our default response to change.
Watching this friend’s struggle and her steady faith throughout, I decided I wanted a faith like that!
I want to be able to boldly and bravely face whatever life throws at me, trusting completely in God for the final outcome.
I want to rely on prayer and actually believe God can work miracles.
I want to stay afloat through my trials and not drown under the weight of the struggle.
What about you? Would you like to be able to face your worst trial with hope and joy?
Over the next 12 weeks, I’m focusing on this topic of change. We’ll look at types of changes we encounter in life, our default response to these changes and how we can get better at handling change. We’ll also look at lessons from Simon Peter and what he learned about handling change. Peter was, by most accounts, the best friend of Jesus. He walked side-by-side with Jesus, so we’ll see what he learned through that experience about handling change better.
[reminder preface=”Question: “]What is your default response to change – fight, flight or prayer? Do you think it’s possible to change our default and experience change in a better way?[/reminder]
I hope you’ll join me for this series as we look together at A Better Change!
[callout]This post is part of the “A Better Change” series. For more information on this series and to find related posts, click here: A Better Change Series – Overview[/callout]
Sharing with: Unforced Rhythms, Testimony Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Wednesday Prayer Girls, Saturday Soiree
aljung72 says
I love this: “Through faith, we can reset our default response to change” My problem has always been handling the little changes and challenges throughout my day. I’d like to reset my default response to those by faith! I linked up next to you at Unforced Rhythms. Blessings as you ponder change!
Kathryn says
I’ve been practicing on the small challenges – issues at work, whether to take on a new project or say yes to joining a committee at church – and have found it’s these little steps that are resetting my default responses. This practice has also better prepared me for the bigger ones. Thanks for stopping by and good luck as you work on changing your default response to those everyday changes! It’s a process!
Holly Barrett says
Great post, Kathryn!! My default response has been really bad in the past. So grateful this is an area where God has given me grace and growth! Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday.
Kathryn says
Thanks, Holly! So glad He gives us grace as we walk this journey! I seem to be a slow learner sometimes in this area, so grateful He keeps giving chances to practice and improve!
Nannette and The Sweetheart says
I don’t always welcome change, unless it is the changing of the seasons, lol, always love that!! But the hard things…well, we struggle and I even whine at times. 🙁 But as you said, through faith, I can reset my response!! Visiting from Holly’s this morning. Blessings!
Kathryn says
Not all the changes in our lives are welcome ones, but at least through faith we can face them with more hope.
llicenogle says
You know, as I read this, I realized that my response is flight…I’ve never thought of it that way, but my default is to numb…if I just put all of my focus on my eating disorder…I don’t have to deal with what’s really happening. What a great hope to be able to have a concrete tool to go to other than my usual – from now on, I will try to respond in prayer. Thanks for this!
Kathryn says
what an insight! “If I just keep my focus elsewhere I can ignore what’s really going on in my life” Practice changing your response on the smaller changes in your life until new habits form – and then it’ll feel more realistic for the bigger ones.
ambercadenas says
This: “Through faith we can reset our default response to change.” So few words, yet so much power conveyed here. I will be thinking on this one. Thank you.
passagethroughgrace says
I wish I could say “I love change”. Most of the time I don’t, but God has taught me so much through my seasons of change that I can safely say change is good when you have God by your side. I look forward to the coming posts about change. Happy Tuesday!
Kathryn says
You know, as hard as the changes can be (and are in this season for me), I’m actually feeling excited for change because I know it’s taking me closer to God’s better future for me. Change is never easy, but at least I can face it with more hope. (just sometimes wish He didn’t want SO much change in my life right now…) 🙂
Jolene Underwood (@Faith_Eyes) says
Amen! As our faith grows we are able to respond to life’s challenges in ways that defy understanding, because our God is a God of miracles. We can’t wee what’s ahead but when we trust Him with it, it is truly amazing.
Kathryn says
That’s the hardest part of change, I think – when we can’t see what’s ahead and have to just trust God. But, that is where we grow our faith the most and really come to know how amazing our God truly is.