Trusting God Through Life's Unavoidable Changes
Summary
In these challenging times, it's crucial to find ways to navigate the stress and trauma brought about by rapid and relentless changes. Over the past 18 months, many have felt overwhelmed, as if life is in limbo, unable to move forward due to the uncertainty of the future. This series, "Strategies for Stressful Times," aims to provide practical guidance from Scripture on how to trust God during changes we don't like.
Change is a constant in life, and while some changes are welcomed, others are not. It's important to remember that change is unavoidable, but God can use it for good in the lives of those who trust Him. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. This doesn't mean everything is good, but God can bring good out of even the worst situations, much like how the bitter ingredients of a cake come together to create something delicious.
God's purpose in every circumstance is to make us more like Jesus. This is the ultimate goal, not our comfort or happiness. The trials and changes we face are opportunities for growth in character, developing qualities like love, joy, peace, and patience. God often uses the opposite situations to cultivate these traits in us, teaching us to love the unlovable, find joy in suffering, and peace in chaos.
Even human error and sin can be used by God for good. The story of Joseph illustrates this truth, as what his brothers intended for harm, God used for the saving of many lives. Similarly, God can use the wrongs done to us to fulfill His greater purpose.
Every change is a test of faith. It's an opportunity to trust God, even when we don't understand. Like a trapeze artist letting go of one bar to grab another, we must let go of the past and trust God for the future. This requires faith, knowing that God will have the last word, and it will be good.
Key Takeaways:
- Change is Unavoidable: Embrace the reality that change is a constant part of life. While it can be painful, it is necessary for growth. God uses change to develop our character, much like a cake's bitter ingredients come together to create something good. [06:06]
- God Uses Change for Good: Not all change is good, but God can use it for good in the lives of those who trust Him. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for good, even when we can't see it. [07:38]
- Purpose of Change: God's purpose in every change is to make us more like Jesus. This involves developing character traits such as love, joy, and peace, often through challenging circumstances. [11:49]
- Human Error and Sin: God can use even the wrongs done to us for good. The story of Joseph shows how God can turn intended harm into a greater purpose, saving many lives. [21:29]
- Every Change is a Test of Faith: Each change is an opportunity to trust God. Like a trapeze artist, we must let go of the past and trust God for the future, knowing He will have the last word. [24:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Concern for Handling Change
- [00:30] - Strategies for Stressful Times
- [00:45] - Finding Strength When Worn Out
- [01:11] - Happiness is a Choice
- [01:23] - Trusting God During Unwanted Changes
- [03:12] - Five Truths to Remember
- [03:44] - Change is Unavoidable
- [07:16] - God Uses Change for Good
- [11:49] - Purpose of Change: Becoming Like Jesus
- [18:53] - God Uses Human Error and Sin
- [23:39] - Every Change is a Test of Faith
- [27:22] - Invest Time Alone with God
- [31:01] - Ask for God's Perspective
- [38:34] - Focus on What Never Changes
- [47:04] - Trust God No Matter What
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Strategies for Stressful Times
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:28-29 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."
2. Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
3. 1 Peter 1:7 - "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:28, what is the promise given to those who love God? How does this relate to the idea that not all change is good, but God can use it for good? [07:16]
2. In the story of Joseph, how did God use the actions of Joseph's brothers for a greater purpose? What does this teach us about God's ability to use human error and sin? [21:29]
3. What does 1 Peter 1:7 say about the purpose of trials and troubles in our lives? How does this relate to the concept of change being a test of faith? [24:01]
4. How does the analogy of a trapeze artist illustrate the concept of faith during times of change? [24:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 8:28-29 help us understand God's ultimate purpose for the changes we experience in life? What does it mean to be conformed to the image of His Son? [12:09]
2. In what ways can the story of Joseph encourage someone who feels like they are in a season where nothing seems to be going right? How can this story change one's perspective on personal trials? [21:29]
3. How can understanding that every change is a test of faith, as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:7, alter the way a person approaches difficult situations? [24:01]
4. What are some practical ways to "let go of the past" and trust God for the future, as illustrated by the trapeze artist analogy? [24:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent change in your life that you found challenging. How can you apply the promise of Romans 8:28 to this situation? What good might God be working through it? [07:16]
2. Think of a time when someone else's actions negatively impacted you. How can the story of Joseph help you see this situation from a different perspective? What steps can you take to trust God with the outcome? [21:29]
3. Identify a current trial or trouble you are facing. How can you view this as a test of your faith, and what steps can you take to strengthen your faith during this time? [24:01]
4. Consider the analogy of the trapeze artist. What is one thing from your past that you need to let go of to move forward in faith? How can you take a step of faith this week? [24:55]
5. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) that you want to develop. What specific action can you take this week to cultivate this trait in your interactions with others? [14:35]
6. Reflect on the idea that God's purpose is to make us more like Jesus. What is one area of your character that you feel God is working on right now? How can you cooperate with Him in this process? [11:49]
7. How can you invest more time alone with God this week? What changes can you make to your daily routine to ensure you have a quiet time with Him? [27:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Change as a Pathway to Growth
Change is an inevitable part of life, and while it can be challenging, it is also a necessary catalyst for personal and spiritual growth. Embracing change means recognizing that God can use even the most difficult transitions to develop our character and deepen our faith. Just as the bitter ingredients of a cake come together to create something delicious, the trials we face can lead to a greater good when we trust in God's plan. By accepting change, we open ourselves to the transformative work God wants to do in our lives. [06:06]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one change you are currently resisting? How can you begin to see it as an opportunity for growth and trust in God's plan?
Day 2: Trust in God's Goodness Amidst Uncertainty
Not all changes are inherently good, but God promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him. This assurance allows us to trust in His goodness, even when we cannot see the full picture. In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to hold onto the truth that God is sovereign and has a purpose for every situation. By trusting in His goodness, we can find peace and hope, knowing that He is at work in our lives, even in the midst of chaos. [07:38]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to see God's goodness? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and sovereignty today?
Day 3: Becoming More Like Jesus Through Trials
God's ultimate purpose in every change is to make us more like Jesus. This involves developing character traits such as love, joy, and peace, often through challenging circumstances. God uses the opposite situations to cultivate these qualities in us, teaching us to love the unlovable, find joy in suffering, and peace in chaos. By focusing on becoming more like Jesus, we can view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation. [11:49]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What is one character trait you feel God is developing in you through a current trial? How can you cooperate with His work in this area?
Day 4: God Redeems Human Error and Sin
Even the wrongs done to us can be used by God for good. The story of Joseph illustrates how God can turn intended harm into a greater purpose, saving many lives. This truth reassures us that no mistake or sin is beyond God's redemptive power. By trusting in His ability to bring good out of every situation, we can find hope and healing, knowing that He is always at work to fulfill His greater purpose. [21:29]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Is there a past hurt or mistake you need to surrender to God for redemption? How can you begin to trust Him to bring good out of it?
Day 5: Letting Go and Trusting God for the Future
Every change is a test of faith, an opportunity to trust God even when we don't understand. Like a trapeze artist letting go of one bar to grab another, we must let go of the past and trust God for the future. This requires faith, knowing that God will have the last word, and it will be good. By releasing our grip on what we cannot control, we open ourselves to the new things God wants to do in our lives. [24:01]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go and trust God more fully? What steps can you take today to release control and embrace His plan?
Quotes
Change is unavoidable. No matter how much you like a change, or how much you dislike a change. No matter how much you like the way things have been. They're not gonna stay the same. Now, when change happens, and it's constant, you can complain or you can grumble or you can get mad or you can blame other people, you can even try to stop the change futilely, because you can't stop change, but things are still gonna keep changing. [00:03:48]
There is no growth without change, there is no change without loss, there is no loss without grief, and there is no grief without pain. A person who wants to grow and be better, but not go through the pain of change is like a woman saying I wanna have a baby, but I don't want my tummy to get bigger and I don't wanna go through labor. It ain't gonna happen. They don't call it labor for nothing. [00:06:07]
Change is not always good, but God uses it for good in the lives of those who trust Him. It's not good for everybody, but it is good in the lives of those who trust Him. One of the greatest promises of the Bible, Romans 8:28. "We know," not we're confident, "that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." [00:07:05]
God's purpose in every circumstance, every one of them, including the ones we're going through right now is to make me more like Jesus. God's purpose in every change in my life, is to make me more like Jesus. Now, the promise of Romans 8:28 is a wonderful promise, but it doesn't really make sense until you read the next verse, Romans 8:29. [00:11:43]
God doesn't just want you in His family, He wants you to develop the family characteristics of a daughter of God, or a son of God, a child of God, like father, like son. Like father, like daughter. God says, I want you to grow up, and who's the model for maturity? Not you or me, Jesus Christ. And God says, my number one goal in your life is to make you like Jesus Christ. [00:13:00]
God can use even human error and sin. I'm talking about, when you were the innocent victim of somebody else's bad decision. My family isn't what it used to be, because my husband broke it up and left me or my wife left me, whatever. God can use even human error and the sins of other people, not even just my own, for the good in my, He can bring good in my life, in His plan to grow your character and make you like Jesus. [00:18:53]
Every change is always a test of my faith. Write that down. Every change in your life is always a test of your faith. 1 Peter 1:7 says this, "The purpose of these troubles" you know the ones you're in right now, the ones we've been facing for 18 months, "The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith," circle that, "as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise and glory and honor to God." [00:23:32]
Having faith during a time of change is like a trapeze act, and a trapeze artist. You've all seen it in the circus and stuff, trapeze artist swings out on one bar, the other one comes from the other direction and at one point they let go this bar and then grab onto that one and swing across to the other side. At some point in, that trapeze artist, you have to let go of this one, in order to jump over and grab the other one, at that point you're hanging suspended in space with nothing holding you up. That is the moment of faith in your life. [00:24:32]
Invest more time alone with God. Now listen, the greater the changes that are happening in your life, the more you need time alone with God. You need to make a specific time each day that you sit down, we call this a quiet time, and you sit down and you're just quiet and you don't turn on the TV or the radio, and you read a little bit of the Bible and you talk to God in prayer and you sit there and you be quiet, and go, God is there anything you wanna say to me? [00:27:22]
Ask God to help me see His perspective. If you can begin to see all the changes going on in society, in the world, in your life, in your career, in your family, whatever, if you can see all those changes from God's point of view, you're gonna feel a whole lot better, and you're gonna be a whole lot less stressed. Now, this is so important, everybody look up here for a second. What I'm talking about is the difference between seeing everything that's going on in the world, all the current events, and seeing how God is working behind the scenes, using it the way He wants to. [00:31:01]
Focus on what never changes. This is the fourth practical suggestion from God's Word, focus on what never changes. Because there are many things in life that are never, never, never, never, gonna change. And when you're going through a period of great change, you wanna let those unchangeable things be your anchor. What's anchoring you right now? For the last 18 months, what's been your anchor? Somebody goes, I don't have an anchor. And that's why you're drifting around in the storm. [00:38:34]
Keep telling God, I trust you, no matter what. If you do this, you're gonna be a lot more at peace, regardless of how long this pandemic lasts, what I want you, what I want our church family to be, as I said, is better than others in the world. I want you to be a righteous person. What's a righteous person? Look at this verse, Psalm 112:7, "The righteous man or woman does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what might happen. For he or she is settled in his mind that God will take care of him." [00:47:04]
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