Embracing Change: God's Transformative Work in Us

Change is an unavoidable part of life, and often it comes with disruption, discomfort, and even pain. Yet, God uses these seasons of change not to harm us, but to transform us for a greater purpose. Sometimes, we recognize the need for change because of external circumstances or feedback from others, but there is a deeper, more profound way: inviting God to search our hearts and reveal what needs to be transformed. King David’s prayer in Psalm 139 is a model for this openness, asking God to search, test, and lead us. This posture allows us to see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity for God to shape us into who He intends us to be.

God is always at work in our lives, even when we don’t understand His methods or timing. He is the master artist, never putting down His brush, always painting a bigger picture than we can see. Sometimes, the process is painful, but His discipline is always rooted in love, not punishment. The pain we experience is temporary, but the fruit it produces—holiness, right living, and deeper trust in God—is lasting. Embracing the discomfort, rather than resisting it, allows us to grow stronger, both individually and as a community. We are called to “embrace the suck,” to lean into the hard places, trusting that God is using them for our good and the good of others.

Obedience and change are deeply connected. When we accept the changes God brings and choose to obey Him, even when it’s hard, our relationship with Him deepens. Trust is built through obedience, and as we trust God more, we become more like Christ, who Himself learned obedience through suffering. Our stories of transformation, especially those born out of pain and failure, become powerful testimonies that God uses to encourage and help others. As individuals and as a church, embracing God’s transformative work positions us to impact our community in ways we could never imagine. The journey may be difficult, but on the other side of change, we find purpose, strength, and the ability to help others walk through their own seasons of transformation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God initiates change for our greater good, not just for our comfort. Often, we settle for “good enough,” but God sees a greater potential in us and lovingly disrupts our status quo to move us toward His best. Even when we don’t understand His plan, we can trust that He is always working for our benefit, shaping us into His masterpiece. [09:26]
• 2. The pain of change is real, but it is temporary and purposeful. God’s discipline is not punitive but redemptive, designed to produce a harvest of right living and deeper holiness in us. If we can shift our mindset to see pain as a tool for growth, we can endure it with hope, knowing that God’s love is at the center of every trial. [13:59]
• 3. Embracing discomfort rather than resisting it accelerates our transformation. When we “embrace the suck,” we allow God to strengthen us in our weakness and build resilience for the future. Community is vital in this process; surrounding ourselves with others who encourage and support us helps us persevere through the hardest seasons. [18:18]
• 4. Obedience to God and acceptance of change are inseparable. God not only calls us to change but also gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him. As we obey, our trust in God deepens, and our relationship with Him grows more intimate, mirroring the way Jesus Himself learned obedience through suffering. [23:07]
• 5. Our greatest failures and trials can become platforms for ministry and influence. When we allow God to transform our pain, He uses our stories to help others who are struggling. The church is called to be a place of healing and transformation, where our collective experiences of God’s faithfulness become a beacon of hope for the community. [24:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Moving to Salem: A Season of Change
• [02:36] - The Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale and Life Transitions
• [04:30] - Why We Resist Change
• [06:23] - Two Ways We Encounter Change
• [07:30] - David’s Prayer: Inviting God to Search Us
• [09:26] - God Initiates Change for Our Greater Good
• [11:04] - The Painful Path to God’s Best
• [12:34] - Trusting God’s Plan in Unseen Ways
• [13:59] - God’s Discipline: Love, Not Punishment
• [14:58] - Embracing the Suck: Leaning Into Discomfort
• [16:38] - Lessons from Grandkids and Painful Growth
• [18:18] - Strengthening Ourselves and Each Other
• [20:57] - Obedience and Change: The Heart Connection
• [23:07] - Trust, Obedience, and Deepening Relationship
• [24:39] - Jesus’ Obedience and Our Transformation
• [26:30] - Personal Testimony: God Uses Our Pain
• [28:30] - A Call to Trust and Begin the Journey
• [29:58] - Prayer and Closing Blessing

1. In Psalm 139:23-24, what specific things does David ask God to do in his life?
2. According to Ephesians 2:10, what does it mean to be God’s masterpiece, and what is the purpose of being created anew in Christ? [09:26]
3. In Hebrews 12:10-11, how is God’s discipline described, and what is the intended result of it? [13:59]
4. The sermon mentions that God is always working on us, never putting down His brush. What does this image communicate about God’s involvement in our lives? [12:34]

1. Why do you think David invites God to search and test his heart, rather than just relying on his own self-awareness? What does this say about openness to change? [06:23]
2. The sermon says that God initiates change for our “greater good,” not just our comfort. How does this challenge the way people usually think about what is “good” for them? [09:26]
3. Hebrews 12:10-11 talks about discipline being painful but producing a “peaceful harvest of right living.” How might someone’s view of pain and discomfort change if they saw it as purposeful and loving, rather than as punishment? [13:59]
4. The pastor shared that his own painful experiences became a platform for helping others. How does this idea connect to the way God uses our stories for ministry? [24:39]

1. David’s prayer in Psalm 139 is a model for inviting God to reveal what needs to change. When was the last time you honestly asked God to search your heart? What might be holding you back from praying this way? [06:23]
2. The sermon talks about “embracing the suck”—leaning into discomfort instead of resisting it. Can you think of a current or recent situation where you tried to avoid discomfort? What would it look like to embrace it instead? [14:58]
3. God’s discipline is described as loving and for our benefit, not punishment. Is there a difficult situation in your life right now that you could begin to see as God’s loving discipline? How might that change your attitude or response? [13:59]
4. The pastor said that “obedience and change are deeply connected.” Is there an area where you sense God is asking you to obey, but you’re resisting because it’s uncomfortable or hard? What’s one step you could take toward obedience this week? [20:57]
5. The sermon mentioned that our greatest failures and trials can become platforms for ministry. Is there a painful part of your story that God might want to use to help someone else? How could you take a step toward sharing that with others? [24:39]
6. Community is vital in the process of transformation. Who in your life encourages you to keep going when things get tough? How can you be that kind of support for someone else in your group or church? [18:18]
7. The pastor described how God never stops working on us, even when we don’t understand His plan. How do you usually respond when God’s timing or methods don’t make sense to you? What would it look like to trust Him more in those moments? [12:34]