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When You Can’t See What Change Will Look Like

March 12, 2015 by Laura Rath 13 Comments

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Change has been going on around me lately, and it’s been hard to see what it will look like when the dust settles.

It’s not change of my making, so there is uncertainty of how it will affect me, as well as others.

Maybe you’re there too…waiting to see what the upcoming days will look like…standing by until everything settles down and a new normal begins…fighting the feeling of not being able to control anything.

…a new boss.

…a job transfer away from family and friends.

…layoffs and unemployment.

…the diagnosis and future check-ups.

…separation and divorce.

Change, whether personal or work-related, is unsettling. It creates questions that can’t be answered right away. It puts us in wait-and-see mode.

I don’t particularly like wait-and-see because it gives me time to imagine different scenarios, which cause me to worry and grow negative. It gives me time to get stressed out before anything has actually happened.

That’s how I started this waiting. It was easy to grumble because others were grumbling with me. And when I was alone, I stewed. I complained under my breath, and to God.

And then I realized a couple of things. One, I didn’t like what it was doing to me. Frankly, I have enough to deal with this year without adding something else that hasn’t even happened yet.

Second, and more importantly, I realized that if this change is something which God has brought about, who am I to question it?

I knew I needed a change of heart and attitude—and it wasn’t something I could just convince myself of.

I needed God to change my heart and my attitude.

I laid it before Him and I prayed. Then, because I tend to take things back, I gave it to Him again and kept praying.

And I felt something start to change. I started to relax.

Nothing in the situation had changed yet. The unsettled dust was still thick and impossible to see through, and I was still in wait-and-see mode with others.

But God was there. I had invited Him in and He was at work—starting with me.

I stopped worrying and started wondering if the what-ifs would be positive instead negative.

I kept Romans 8:28 in front of me…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

And I reminded myself of the times I’ve seen God bring something good from a situation that seemed bad—especially things that have happened this year and how they worked together. I couldn’t see it at the time, but in hindsight, the pieces fit together perfectly…as only God’s plans can.

I felt God changing my attitude. I was seeing things from a positive perspective…both in the situation, and in my growth with Him.

And I felt God changing my heart. I know that not all change is what I would like to see happen, but I know I can trust Him. If the change that comes about is not in my favor, then God has something different planned for me. Something He hasn’t shown me yet.

And where that normally brings fear, I felt peace and comfort.

Have you gone through a time when you knew change was coming, but you couldn’t see what it would look like? How did you walk through it, and did you feel God walking along side of you?

 

[This post originally appeared at Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith, Oct. 2014 / © 2014 Laura Rath. All rights reserved. / Photo credit: Laura Rath]

 

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Filed Under: FAITH Tagged With: Change, change in attitude, change of heart, encouragement, faith, Laura Rath, Trust

Comments

  1. AvatarGina Duke says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:57 am

    I typically thrive in change, but in waiting…not so much. Thanks for the reminder that God is at work behind the scenes. I am your neighbor at Missional Living linkup.

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 2:02 pm

      Ah, yes, the waiting…when we feel like we should be doing something ourselves…and often forget that God is the one at work. Thanks for your comment Gina!

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  2. AvatarSheila says

    March 14, 2015 at 11:52 am

    Laura
    So enjoyed reading your writing, and the mention of new job transfers my son and daughter in law and twin 7 year boys moved to Iowa one and half years ago. He was transferred to Knoxville Tenn in January stated his new job on Feb 2. They have a house now and will be able to move in March 27, so many changes for them he is good at what he does. They rely on God for all things, they are going visiting in Iowa this week-end praying for there safety. I must trust God for his love for them and his continued protection. Your writing was what I needed to hear this morning. Thanks and God Bless you!!

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      Sheila, thank you for your comment! God bless!

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  3. AvatarRebecca says

    March 14, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    Waiting is so hard !!!! But so necessary. I’ve had a hard time with waiting in my life too but when I have endured the waiting good things have happened. Waiting is a grace builder and boy do I need grace. Thanks for sharing !!!

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 1:58 pm

      Amen Rebecca! Thank you for your comment!

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  4. AvatarSharita says

    March 14, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    Ah! Laura! I thought I recognized the tone of this post, then I am all like wait, what? I love it. And I feel like my whole life is muddling through the everyday changes of our lives. Thanks be to God that HE never changes 🙂

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Sharita, you always make me smile! Thanks for stopping over here and for your comment!

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  5. ChipChip says

    March 14, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    We often have a mental image of what we expect the change to look like. If it turns out to be something different, disappointment should not be our reaction, but rather joy in that God’s will has been accomplished. When we ask God for help, we continue to row for the shore having faith that we’ll strike land where he wants us to be.
    Your blog was a inspiration!

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Chip, thank you for your kind words and encouragement!

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  6. Avatarangie says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I so needed this . I am not good with change and that seems to be going on a lot around me. My children growing old enough to move out, a new boss at work, a new position created at work for me and the list goes on and on. Thank you for sharing a bit of encouragement come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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    • Laura RathLaura Rath says

      March 19, 2015 at 2:07 pm

      Angie, thank you for your comment 🙂 God bless!

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