Going Through Changes

One thing that I have noticed lately is 'change'. A change in environment, a change in direction, a change in attitude, a change in priorities, and a change in tolerance. Change can indeed be an uncomfortable thing; however it is needed to bring out the best in each person.

Change reminds us that to come out refined you have to go through the fire.

**I am grateful for my present because now is where I live and now is where I love. I rejoice in every moment that God has given me, and I take great delight in all the changes life brings. God made life a never ending journey of change and growth. Don’t fear it. Embrace it, rejoice in it, and be grateful for it. It is all beautiful. It all can work for greater happiness, love, and goodness if we let it. Life’s changes never stop but neither does life’s joy.**

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darkness before the Dawn
Written by Helen Lescheid
June 2, 2010

In the Bible a new day begins with evening. In the creation account in Genesis we read: “and there was evening and there was morning, one day.”

When God wants to take us into a new day (a new experience), he begins with darkness. He leads us into a period of confusion, pain and disappointment. Take, for example, Joseph. God had told him he would be ruling one day. Instead, we find him in an Egyptian prison wrongly accused. Forgotten by family and friends and even by the cupbearer whom he had helped. Where was God in all this? He was preparing Joseph for his “new day” experience. In God’s perfect plan and timing, Joseph did reign over Egypt. God’s promise was realized.

Can you relate to this process? I can.

Since my teens, I’ve had a deep desire to reach others with God’s message of hope and salvation. I wanted to be a good Christian – a good testimony.

Instead, God led me through a dark, confusing time when it seemed that I was losing everything I valued – even my credibility as a Christian.

Still, in the midst of it all, I had a deep knowledge that God was in it. “This suffering is measured,” I seemed to hear him saying. “It has meaning not just for you, but for others as well.”

Now looking back, I can honestly say, “It was the best thing that happened to me.” Because of this night-time experience, I can now connect to people in a more compassionate way. The pat answers are gone. In no time at all, people want to share their hearts with me. Christian and non-Christian alike. Love and empathy fills my heart for them – I want to hear what they have to say, I want to know them because I truly care.

Perhaps, you’re going through a night-time experience right now. Be encouraged. It will end and you will experience the excitement of “a new day” when your deepest longings will be realized.

Lord, I want to have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones; and when I have accomplished my daily task, I want to go to sleep in peace, knowing that you are awake.

Question: What are some examples of people who experienced periods of darkness in their lives yet through the grace of God were able to not just make it through, but excel? What can we learn from their experiences?