Season of Challenges Calls for New Outlook on Change

Inside: Change has never been my favorite, but a series of unexpected transitions uncovers the need for a new perspective. ~

For years, I’ve worked through life’s challenges by plunking myself down at my laptop (often after a good run), typing a few words about what was happening and then drawing out some notes of encouragement that might be helpful to someone.

Lately, though, something’s been off.

I’ve been wanting to write this post since the middle of the summer, at least. So why has it taken me this long? I can answer in one word: change.

I’m not talking about the kind of change thrust upon someone due to a devastating accident, an unexpected betrayal or a sudden loss. Rather, I’m referring to the kind of changes that, when they come one after another after another, add up to what my friend Natalie calls “death by a thousand paper cuts.”

Anyone else know what I’m talking about?

What Happened

Here’s a brief (though incomplete) rundown. Starting in late April, a bad knee forced me to stop running, get physical therapy and begin riding a bike for exercise. (As I wrote in Learning to Adjust to an Unexpected and Hard Change, all of this was more difficult and came with more feelings of loss than I ever expected).

While I was still hobbling around the house, older daughter Lilly graduated from college and got a job that has her living and working remotely at home (at least for the time being).

In June, we left our previous church and began searching for a new one.

In early July, huge rains caused our basement to flood, resulting in foundation work outside and an unexpected remodeling project inside. We had an unusable guest room and bare concrete in our family room for weeks as we waited for new carpet to arrive.

We even switched our homeowners and auto insurance to a new company. (This was the one change that required little adjustment and actually saved us quite a bit of money.)

Trouble Adjusting

Summer always brings new rhythms, but this year, I had trouble finding the beat and staying on it. Particularly when it came to my knee, I found myself longing for the way things were before.

Amid all the adjusting, though, I realized something about myself.

When life is hard—when I’m grieving and exhausted and everything is out of my control, for example—I’m more aware of God’s presence and involvement in what’s happening.

But in a season of small challenges, like the one I’ve just described, I’m more likely to complain.

I’m also more prone to say or think things like, “I don’t like change,” “Change is not my favorite,” or even “I hate change.”

Not Helpful

Gradually, it dawned on me that such statements—while true—were not constructive. Dwelling on how much I hate change wasn’t helping me manage the changes that seemed to be coming in rapid succession.

Those of you who are further down the path can tell me if I’m right. But I’m guessing this is increasingly what life will look from here on out. Change after change. Some welcome, many not. Some expensive, some merely inconvenient. Some full of joy, others full of sorrow.

The good news is that, no matter how much change life throws at us, our God does not change. Immutable is the theological word for it.

Malachi 3:6a says, “For I the Lord do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 adds, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

This is a huge comfort, isn’t it? On regular days as well as during pivotal moments like the one our country is living through right now.

Change is Inevitable

We still can’t escape the fact that change is inevitable, of course. And if last summer taught me anything, it’s that I need to change my attitude about it.

Should I find some way to welcome change? Learn to embrace it, even?

Maybe I’ll get there someday. For now, though, I’m trying not to complain about it so much.

• • •

Now that I’ve shared my current thoughts about change, I’d love to hear from you. Not to be repetitive, but how has your perspective on change changed over time? What helps you get through seasons of small challenges, like the one I’ve described above? If you are middle-aged or older, what words of advice or encouragement do you have about change for people coming up behind you?

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.