(a chapter from my book, Facing Change)
Do the things that make you strong. (Marcus Buckingham: Go put your strengths to work.) I used to think that doing the things that make you feel good was OK. But then I discovered that, just beyond my reach, many things can make a person feel good and not benefit them in the long term. Or, do the good and right (righteous) things and keep doing the good and right (righteous) things. However, feelings are transient and unreliable. There are also plenty of virtuous and good things that I can do that will make me feel good once I’ve put in the discipline to gather some strong momentum. We have to do these things for some time before we start to see the benefits of our actions. For example, 1) doing physical exercise and 2) reading the Bible while in a relationship with God. Doing physical exercise and reading the Bible while in a relationship with God has a massive direct effect on being good for us. These things strengthen us in our body, mind, and spirit.
Many fortunate people might get to operate in their gifting zone in more than 10 per cent of their primary occupations. There are also quite a few others who do not but who are equally contented and joyful. And then, some are not contented and joyful, whatever their circumstances. We can keep jobs the same frequently to experience growth. We can grow in our hobbies. We can grow in our relationships. We can grow spiritually in Christ. But there are times when we have grown beyond the capacity of our primary occupation, and our path to progress appears to be blocked in the natural. In the natural, there does not appear to be a way forward. Then, we will have to make room for God to move to make a way forward. We have to ask for what we need and want and then allow God to lead us into the unmapped territories of the unknown. Your story may not have yet been written. Every day is a brand new day on which we write our stories. In a single moment, everything could change.
Sometimes, change can be daunting and overwhelming for those who have grown unaccustomed to change. Change might come suddenly, such as the sudden loss of a loved one after many years of marriage. Change might also come unexpectedly, such as when we lose a job after many years of faithful service. After that initial shock and a recovery period, we might have to start moving forward again. What do we do after this…thing… has happened to us? What can we do? Is it life as usual with minor adjustments? Or are significant adjustments required? Sometimes, the period of shock and recovery might take a long time, and we have to start by taking small baby steps in recovery. Sometimes, when unaccustomed to significant change, we might be in a growth plateau. Only with an enormous effort can we take the smallest of steps forward again. But move forward, we must!
For others in this fast-changing world, we experience a fast-paced life and constant and rapid change, so much so that we can experience change fatigue, prolonged stress, and loss of productivity. This, too, requires a period of rest, taking stock, and recovery.
For a Christian, we can start by praising God, effective prayer, and confessing the words of life (the Word of God). We can start with a tiny whisper if that is all our strength will allow to come out of our mouths. Then, as we strengthen, our whisper can become our shout and song. We are to enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. [Psalm 100:4 NLT]
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces excellent results. [James 5:16 NLT]
Take delight in the Lord; he will give you your heart’s desires. [Psalm 37:4 NLT]
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.