Adapting to Change

"But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 3:14

Over the last 3 months my husband and I have gone through some major change. It started with a back surgery which was nerve wracking in itself for me, and a painful experience for my husband. We tried sleeping in a different bed that my husband felt was firmer and easier for him to get in and out of. Just sleeping in another room was disorienting. I had just started a new job; more change, but was grateful to God for it. I began waking up with the sense of panic and worry about so many people and things. The thoughts became overwhelming as I included my children and grandchildren to my list of worries and things I could not control.

It is so hard to stop the cycle of worry once we give it a chance to creep in. Medical bills began rolling in to add to the ever increasing pile of bills to be paid. We decided we had to do something different in order to keep it under control.

Change. I kept telling myself that change was easier and we were more adaptable 20 years ago. This thought process keeps me stuck and stubborn. Feeling too old to change and too tired and questioning where we went wrong.

If not for God's word and the prayers of family and friends I don't know how we would get through it all. The passage from Philippians 3:14 put it all in the proper prospective. He doesn't say it is an easy road. "Forgetting what is behind", all the things that I want to cling onto, and "straining" toward what is ahead. Straining, yes! There is comfort in knowing that as I keep my eyes on God, even though I may be feeling the strain of everyday challenges, there is a goal to win, a prize for which God has called me.

I don't know what the future will bring, but I do know that I cannot live in the past or change it in anyway. I do know that God will see me through each and every situation that seems impossible to bear. I remind myself that I am pressing, not gliding on, towards the goal in Christ Jesus. If God is for us, who can be against us?

As we get slammed with family, health, financial and worldly problems, let us all hold fast to the truth that God has called us heavenward and that our struggles are not in vain. Let us remember to pray for each other and even for those we do not know. Let us remember that we are not alone in our journey and our paths are all leading to the same great glory.

Dear Lord, help us to reach out to others and share our story with others. We never know how we may be helping another person who thinks that they are alone in their troubles.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)