Challenging Changes

Let's visualize for just a moment. What if........ absolutely, positively, nothing in your life ever changed? Personally, I think I would go crazy if nothing ever changed in my life. Change (for the better) is good, and it is something that all people need a little of over our lifetime. Making changes is also something that our Father does well, as He changes and transforms us according to what He sees our needs are. These changes, however, are not always comfortable or easy for us. In fact, they usually present themselves as a challenge.

In the last post, I posed the question "Are We Really Ready???" for what God has in store for us for 2010 and the rest of our future. At the end of 2009, we reflected upon our year. Many of us thought of all the tough situations that we had overcome throughout another year. Some of us even found how these situations and circumstances helped us to grow and develop into the person that we were by the end of the year. We realized that those difficult challenges brought about a change in us.

Any person can testify that new challenges come in all sizes each day. What we as Christians should do with our challenges is to look at them as an opportunity for change. Each challenge brings about the opportunity to learn something new about our Father. Each challenge brings about the opportunity to apply the Word in our daily lives. Each challenge brings about another opportunity to defeat the enemy and grow closer to Christ. Each challenge brings about an opportunity to change...for the better!

A challenge is just what it says it is...a CHALLENGE! Challenges are not easy. Challenges are not fun. Challenges are a way for Christ to grow in us. Without challenges, we become complacent Christians. In complacency, nothing new is birthed and your spiritual growth is at a standstill. Think of it this way....If God called you to your heavenly home today, would He find the same person that He saved years, or maybe even months ago? If so, there has been very little change that has occurred in your spiritual life. Does this mean that we are perfect? Absolutely Not!!! But what this does mean is that we are serious about becoming what God has in HIS WILL for us to become, and doing what God his in HIS WILL for us to do.

I can see many ways that I have grown spiritually, and each one of those areas have grown because of a challenge that I had to endure. I have learned how to apply the scripture to my life because of challenges. I have learned more about the character of God through challenges. And, I have learned more about who God created me to be through challenges. And, I know that I have many more challenges to face, because I have many more changes to make and growing to do. God is the only constant in our lives. He will comfort and guide us in each and every challenging change that He brings us to. And, even when you may not understand your challenging change, just remember that God's thoughts are so powerful that we cannot even begin to think on His level. He created us, and He always knows what is best for us!


Hebrews 13:8 I am the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV)

In the end, I want to hear my Father say those two sweet words..."Well Done!" Well done for enduring your challenges and facing your changes. Well done for being obedient unto my will and My Word. Well done for striving and surviving. Well Done, my child, well done! How sweet it is to make changes that please God... Let us welcome God's changes for us with open arms today!

Spiritual Reflections

1. As you reflect over your spiritual life, what are some ways that you know God has changed and transformed you?


2. As we know, we should constantly be working toward being more like Christ. What areas in your life require change in order for you to be more Christ like?


3. Are you currently facing any challenging changes? If so, how are you currently responding to the challenging changes in your life?


4. Write a few lines praising God for the challenges in your life that brought about a positive change.