Desiring Change
Posted by Danielle Street on Apr 24, 2012 in Blog | 22 comments
New changes in my life sometimes produce mixed feelings of fear, anxiety, joy, or excitement. Then other times I desire change, but I have to wait patiently for God’s timing. I’ve discovered our jobs, homes, and even certain relationships may require change in order to allow God to continuously shape us into His image.
Change is necessary. For emotional and spiritual maturity, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to change us and transform our hearts and minds. Romans 12:2 states, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
As I commit to growing, I find comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father never changes. He was and will always be perfect. We can trust our loving Creator and agree that His way is better than our way. When we let Him change us into what we were created to be, we get the amazing opportunity to experience a greater intimacy with God and healthier relationships with people.
What new changes are you experiencing in your life? Are you relying on the Lord to help you?
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Hi Danielle, Thanks for this blog. Change can often be a scary thing. Many times I don’t want to go out of my comfort zone to experience something different. But you are right, sometimes change needs to happen in order for God to guide us into fulfilling His plan for us. But often, I wonder if I am listening? It can be such a struggle to go against your “own” thinking and allow God to change a part of your heart, or a part of your mind that wants to so desperately to hold on to the “worldly” view of things. Sometimes I really do want to hold onto my view! The unknown can be scary! But nothing is greater than God’s love for us and his desire to be closer to us. Thank you for reminding me to focus on this. I pray that God can work in my mind, and all that seek Him, to allow us to see the world through His perspective, not our worldly one. I am so happy that you write these blogs and have this website. It truly helps. May God continue to speak to your heart so you can continue to help others.
Kathy, I love reading how God is working in your life. I learn so much from reading the comments on my blog. Thank you for taking the time to share. I love how you were able to relate this topic about change to our class! You reminded me that we need to pray for the Lord to help us have an eternal perspective on every situations we face in life. This way of thinking requires God to change our hearts and minds! Your’re right. Nothing is greater than God’s love for us and we can trust Him as He transforms us!
Change is hard sometimes, isn’t it? I have found myself fighting change in the past because of fear; but more and more I am feeling led to open myself completely to God’s leading and will – He reminds me of all the times that I have had to step out and do something I had never done before, and He has always led me through the circumstance. I can feel His questions in my heart: “Did I ever make you go through things alone? Wasn’t I always there with you? Haven’t things always worked out? Why would you think that they would be different this time?” With those questions, how can you resist?
Drusilla, I agree. Change can be very difficult. I admire your dedication to open yourself completely to God’s guidance during change. I love the questions you feel God places on your heart. Wow! Those questions are an excellent reminder of God’s love for us!
“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
Great Blog Danielle! Since becoming a believer in 2004 I am so thankful for the renewal of my mind. Walking with God has been an adventure, including many changes, and having to “let Go” of a lot, but through it all God has been faithful. Trusting God, I invite Him to work in my heart. Each day I Prayerfully ask for eyes to see Him and ears to hear Him. Yes, His ways are far better than ours! So thankful for my Faith, I would never want to be without it.
Amen! Andrea, thank you for sharing how God has been changing you. I’ve found it’s so easy to allow people to change us instead of God. I admire your commitment to seek the Lord as He transforms you into a mighty woman for His kingdom. May you continue to record the awesome things God is doing in your life and share it with others. Your testimony inspires me to continue to grow in my faith!
Very true, it is hard to accept change at times. Truth be told I really don’t like change all that much! Buy change inside ourselves is how we grow as God’s people, no change, no growth. As long as we allow the Great Creator to recreate us…we are in good hands!
Blessings Danielle
Greg
Hi Greg, you’re right. Thank for reminding us if we don’t make a decision to change, we can’t grow! May we all continue to allow our Great Creator to recreate us and “grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ”(Ephesians 4:15).
SO true, Danielle! We’re in that weird state of change where God is moving, and we can see it and sense it, but we’re waiting on a lot of things. Pieces to fall in place, you know? I wish I could share more of the details, but it feels like putting it all out there in public would be presuming on Him and moving ahead of Him. And so we keep waiting, watching, seeking, praying, trusting, and moving one step at a time as He directs.
One thing I can share – Fred and I are looking forward to the short term trip to Ukraine this summer, to work with Ben and Kristy. Danielle – you might have to give me a crash course on Ukrainian.
Lacey, that’s very exciting! I dedicated time today to pray for you and your family as you wait, watch, and see what kind of changes the Lord is going to bring. I’ve been to Ukraine and I can help you a little with the language. As you know, my parents speak it fluently. Many of the members in my family have been supporting and following Ben and Kristy’s wonderful ministry in Ukraine. I’m so happy that the Lord is leading you to go and help them!
“But those that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Change…
I have desired a change in my circumstances of fertility for so long! It finally has changed and though I’m so excited I know there are new responsibilities and lessons to learn!!!
Change can be both exciting and scary!
You are so right when you said “change is necessary”. Sometimes we can embrace it and other times we want to reject it. Yet if we trust God through the process of change, it brings the desired result: More like Christ!
Great word Danielle!!
I agree, Elisa! All the changes we experience can lead us into becoming more like Christ. Your dedication to allowing God to transform you as waited for change really inspired me! I had the opportunity to see your new blog post. I loved reading about your story on how God worked His perfect timing and blessed you with becoming pregnant. I am so happy for you!
That’s a great point Danielle. Change is a strange thing because when our lives lack it, we want more of it. But often in the thick of change, we wish everything could go back to normal! It’s in these times that I have to learn to trust God and his timing. I love how you bring up the fact that He never changes.
- Aimee
That’s right! Good point, Aimee! May we all remember to seek our perfect, unchanging God when we desire change and when we have to experience change.
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always” (Psalm 105:4).
Change. Goodness. This topic seems to be popping up everywhere. Okay, God, I’m listening. Change is hard for someone like me who wants constant control of situations (not good). I feel comfortable if I have an agenda and itinerary. But, I know by following Christ, I shouldn’t have to see the big picture before fully surrendering my will to His.
I can relate to you, Cristal! I often find myself trying to control things in my life. Then when unexpected changes happen in my plans, it can cause me to become very frustrated. Thank you for reminding us to look at the big picture and fully surrender our plans to His perfect plan for our lives!
Danielle, thanks so much for reading and commenting on my latest posted segment from the critterly journey/quest we are on there. The changes I have experienced recently have been a lot more hours of fitness walking every week, going more and more meatless, going more organic, my young dogs getting better trained, and a rapid increase in the amount and quality of loving communications and sharing with my geographically distant adult children–and grandchildren. I have also gradually begun to take more lay leadership roles in my local church. I feel much greater physical and spiritual strength–and joy! Love your blog!
Hi Rose! Wow! It sounds like you are allowing the Lord to mold and transform you from the inside out. Praise God! I love how you mentioned that the changes you are experiencing include physical, emotional, and spiritual. You also reminded us that we may need to make changes in our diet and exercise in order to take care of the body God gave us. You are motivating me to pay more attention to my health. Thank you!
This was a lovely post.Indeed I am constantly relying on God to walk me through the unknown. When God wants to do something new in my life I just want to be open to change, but unfortunately I’m inclined to rely on “what I think I know” and I sometimes look for and want to have all the answers first. God wants us to trust Him and He tells us things usually on a need-to-know basis. We can’t rely on what we see or our own understanding, but as we acknowledge Him, He is faithful to direct our path.
Great stuff, Liz! Thank you for reminding us when God wants us to experience something new in life, we need to be open to change. Very true! I had an opportunity to check out your website. It’s beautiful and includes very helpful information. May you continue to inspire change in other people’s lives and encourage them to live a more organized life!
Danielle,
I was that stubborn husband that would not change.
My dear wife and I met at Philadelphia College of Bible (now Cairn Univ) in CenterCity. After 24 years of marriage my ‘rock bottom’ let me see how awful a husband i was. That ‘fall’ enabled me to seek restoration and reconciliation with a humble and contrite heart.
We are now full-time servant leaders. Read more about us and Please join us on LINKEDin http://www.linkedin.com/in/jrrysinclair
God bless, Jerry [and Susan]
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing how the Lord worked in your marriage. I checked out your Linkedin page, church website, and ministry. It looks like you genuinely desire to use your experiences to help others and God is using you and Susan in a mighty way. Praise God! I am learning more and more every day that God can change people. I hope that you may visit and comment on my blog again. We can learn so much from sharing our testimonies with others. May the Lord bless you and your wife as you continue to follow His call and transform into the husband and wife He wants you to be!
Many Blessings,
Danielle