Very few people appreciate change. Change disrupts our
normal schedules and instigates in us the fear of the unknown. The transitions
in our lifetime, including aging, family tragedies, vocational insecurity, cultural
and technological changes, etc., all cause anxiety and stress to dominate our
soul - our thoughts, feelings and choices.
However, change is an inevitable part of life on this
sin-cursed globe. We can either hide from it, attempt to avoid it, get
depressed over it or accept it. Acceptance with joyful thoughts and attitudes
makes transitions easier (James 1:2-4).
God has plans for us in every stage of our life, and they
may not include all or even part of the relationships and aspects of our former
schedule and lifestyle. He plants a seed for a miracle in every trial and
change. He is working out His ways for His purpose and His glory.
With Christ in us, we can grow old gracefully, face trials
triumphantly, and accept disappointment and trauma with faith in God's
faithfulness. As we change our focus about our expectations in life, we find
transitions easier to traverse.
God's Spirit within us infuses every moment of our day
and night with assurance and enthusiasm. He aligns our perspective with God's
will for us. This enables us to ignore the ideals of the world, which are
manifested in every commercial and billboard, and the lifestyle of many of our
friends and family.
People love to be noticed, paid attention to and listened
to, affirmed and validated, valued and appreciated, etc. This includes
children, teens, young adults, middle-aged people and seniors. However, many of
us get overlooked in life, and this wounds us deeply.
The Holy Spirit helps us to identify the lies, which the
devil inflicted us with, from conception to the present day. He reveals to us God's
Truth to replace these negative thoughts and feelings. God's love transforms
our negative attitude to a positive one (Philippians 4:8).
Prayer:
Father God, we mature in our spirit as Your Spirit
replaces our carnal concepts with the mind of Christ, Your divine nature and
Your spiritual fruit. We get more and more comfortable with who we are in You.
We are drawn less by the aspects of this world and more by Heavenly concepts,
goals and endeavors.
You always value us and keep us in Your plain sight. We
love and accept our self because You abide within us. You calm our soul with
Your peace, heal our body with Your grace and inspire our spirit with Your
will. Make us a magnet of Your love to draw others to the joy of their
salvation, so that they also may enjoy Your benefits and mercy (Psalm 103:2).
Thought for the Day:
Loving who we are in Christ, through all the seasons of life, infects our soul and spirit with positive thoughts, emotions and choices; this enables us to resist the standards of the world and builds up our confidence to face life with Christ in us.
Loving who we are in Christ, through all the seasons of life, infects our soul and spirit with positive thoughts, emotions and choices; this enables us to resist the standards of the world and builds up our confidence to face life with Christ in us.
