Have you had the feeling that you are part of something and yet you are learning and growing more than you imagined? This series on perseverance with my friends Holly, Debbie and Patti has been a huge learning curve for me. Knowing that perseverance looks different for each of us was a given in my mind. But to read the stories of these dear friends and get to know them better has been a gift. God takes each of our stories and not only teaches us through the journey, but blesses us with friends who have deep, raw, emotional stories of their own that we can learn from. Today Holly teaches us how to face the changes in our lives. Ten years later, she is still working through changes, but now has the grace, wisdom and trust in God to get through the challenges.
If I am honest my life story is a series of hills and valleys and all that is in between. We hear that change is part of life! Change is good for you! It will make you stronger! And the list goes on. But as much as I would like to embrace these platitudes, there have been times I want to scream when someone tells me one of the above. Change is hard and it can make you stronger, but how do you deal with it when it continues year after year?
Holly shares all the changes she has endured the last ten years and it is enough to make your head spin. She doesn’t stop there and instead encourages us to dig into some practical ways to get through. She says…
What I’ve realized recently is that living it has been absolutely exhausting. But it doesn’t have to be.
[Tweet “Change can be exhausting but it doesn’t have to be. #TestimonyTuesday”]
When change arrives, we have three choices. We can run from it. Or stubbornly try to resist it. But we always have the option to embrace it. Embracing change may sound like a tall order, but it is possible! Here’s a couple of suggestions to help you get through the changes in your life.
Continue reading Holly’s post here to find out the couple of suggestions she outlines to help you get through change.
After spending time with Holly’s words, give yourself grace as you reflect on your own life of changes. How have you embraced or faced the changes? What helps you to get through all the changes?
Blessed as always that you stopped by here today to join my friends and I in our perseverance series.
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I admit I’m not a fan of change. But over the last 5-6 years, God has taught me patience and increased my faith by that very thing. Thank you for sharing these encouraging stories! Have a blessed weekend!
I so enjoyed this post, Mary. Getting through changes can be HARD. I am learning to flex with them. But I must confess, I sometimes “might” throw a little tantrum first. I’ve found, though, that God has a way of changing me so that I reflect Him more clearly when I embrace the changes He’s bringing about in my life.
I loved reading Holly’s words, Mary. This has been a great series that you and your bloggy friends have crafted and shared. Very inspiring!
Hi Mary! Wow, Holly is BUSY!! She is a great person to talk about change and stress, that’s for sure. Attitude really is everything. It would be understandable to sink under all that stress and movement, but choosing to rise and accept is the way to thrive. Wise words for anyone!
Blessings,
Ceil
I am enjoying the perseverance series A LOT!
Thank you friend! I feel this is a topic that we could write about all the time. Blessings!
I so get how hearing such sayings as “change and good” and “change makes you stronger” can make you want to just curl up hoping the change will stop, instead of riding through it. Acknowledging that change isn’t easy, and that there is going to be grieving period, is embracing and working with the change gracefully. I’d often hear people say too, “It’s another opportunity for growth!” Yes, you will grow through the change, but let God’s grace take you through, embracing all cycles of feelings that go along with it, and allowing Him in to any healing that may also need to be done. Still learning all of of this! But that’s the other wonderful thing about God, isn’t it? He never, ever lets go of us.
I know when I am fed platitudes I do want to retreat and hope they go away. But you are correct in sharing how change is a transition that brings a sense of loss many times. It involves grieving and healing. Change is an area that when I let it go to God I can accept the grace needed to make it through. When I try to handle it on my own I typically make a mess of it. The beauty is that God never lets go. I pray we all hold onto that promise today.
Change can be very hard especially when so many changes seem to come one after another. What gets me through is relying on God and His promise to be with me through it all. He gives me strength and grace to trust and He also gives me peace. Spending time in the Word and prayer, but sometimes I just rely on what I know and remind myself of His promises.
We do have choices and sometimes I make a wrong one before I embrace the change trusting that God knows best.
Blessings to you!
God is strong and always knows the way through any change doesn’t he? Thank you for sharing how you rely on God to get you through. I am thankful we have God’s promises to stand on and His beautiful word to teach us. Love that you stopped by and joined the conversation.
I love that you add some thoughts, too, Mary. Holly’s post is great. It can be so hard to face and embrace changes, can’t it? But resisting them can be so energy-draining. I am trying to embrace each day instead of pummeling myself with the “what-ifs” of the past or the worries of the future. As Holly reminded us, God will never leave or forsake us. There is such comfort in that! Love and hugs to you!
I guess I can’t just share a post without adding my two cents worth. I hope it adds something to the conversation and the series when I do.
I agree that I spend too many times trying to figure out how to run away from change and it is draining. The past needs to be the past and we need to allow God to heal us and show us the way forward. May we hold onto the truth that God will never leave nor forsake us. Blessings and hugs!
Can’t wait to read Holly’s words. Change is a challenge, for sure. Sometimes I think that we don’t even realize that we are in the midst of it and can’t figure out what is wrong! When I finally realize that life is transitioning, it can make it a little easier for me.
Sometimes we are not aware of change and other times it hits us head on. I have always done best when I let go and hang onto to God through the transition. Somehow we get through it together. Blessed you stopped by.
Change can be difficult so I enjoyed reading Holly’s post and tips on dealing well with change. It is reassuring to know that God is always the same so we are secure in him, whatever else is changing. I am enjoying this series and how each of you are contributing your different perspectives and experiences.
Change is never easy and Holly provides a great perspective for all of us. I know you have gone through many changes as well as I have but we are better off when we embrace the change and let God do the rest. Thanks for keeping up with all of us as we write on perseverance.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing this! My thoughts at #testimonytuesday (#27) are also about facing the fact that our lives should not be “normal” and that God brings change and events to help influence us to become more like Him! Glad to be your neighbor today!
Holly shared some great advice about change. I am more the kicking and screaming to resist change kind of girl. I’m going to hop over and read your words too. Thank you for stopping by!
Amen. Change is the only permanent thing in the world. We must be flexible with it.
Change is a constant isn’t it? Thank you for being here!
Great post on a vital subject.
I’ve learned to be subversive – to accept the changes but to try to keep an eye on the goals that those changes appear to have put out of reach.
Nothing’s more fun than upsetting the ‘inevitable’ with a resounding triumph. Done that, once or twice.
My wife says I have the maturity of a seventeen-year-old juvenile delinquent. Guess she’s right.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/05/your-dying-spouse-313-now-is-all.html
First I love that you stopped by. Second, I love hearing your positive attitude in the midst of your own physical changes. You never cease to teach me through your own journey. Blessings and prayers!