Choosing Peace

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When you are faced with a major change in your life, do you worry? Most of us do, at least to some extent. Even the most stoic or easy-going person will probably worry about navigating all the changes during a move, or about financial concerns during a job change or period of unemployment. 

Let's face it, there's a lot going on in today's world that could cause us to worry! Will we be able to pay the bills? Will our family stay healthy? Did we do the right thing in making this decision? Will our kids turn out okay and be able to get into the right college? Will we be able to retire? And the list goes on.

Of course we need to plan as best we can for our futures and for our family's well-being. We need to consider big decisions wisely. But it is exhausting and unhealthy for us to be in a constant state of anxiety over all the things that are beyond our control. 

How can we cope with changes and uncertainties without spiraling into patterns of worry? In my experience, there are two truths that help me put my fears into perspective and keep me calm. Maybe not completely imperturbable, but definitely a peace that passes understanding.

God is faithful and he never changes.

No matter what else is shifting or even crashing down around us, God is a solid Rock and his love will not change. He keeps all his promises and he knows exactly what we need. Sometimes this seems hard to believe, but we can look at his long track record in the Bible, in history, and in our own lives and see that it's true.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. 

His love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1~

But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children -

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

~Psalm 103:17-19~

You will keep those in perfect peace

whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD, the LORD himself,

is the Rock eternal.

~Isaiah 26:3-4~

I'm not in control - God is in control.

Like most people, I like to feel that I'm in control. That's why unexpected changes throw us off balance - it's a situation in which we have little control. But even though I may have been surprised, or completely blindsided, by a change, God was not surprised. He is not afraid or confused or off balance. Nothing can touch me unless God allows it, and nothing will catch him off guard. He may not reveal the answers to my questions but I can trust that he's got it all under control.

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic."

~Isaiah 28:16~

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises

and faithful in all he does.

~Psalm 145:13~

When the earth and all its people quake,

it is I who hold its pillars firm.

~Psalm 75:3~

How do I stop worrying?

I need to change my mindset, and sometimes my attitude. Remember the promises and the faithfulness of God, and take all my fears to him. Michele Morin, on her blog Living Our Days, suggests using the word Selah as a pause to reflect as we read the Psalms. That perhaps it is in this pause to meditate on God and his Word that the psalmist is able to refocus his thoughts on the goodness of God rather than the despair of his situation. (See the article The True Purpose of Rest: Let It Make a Change in Your Direction) Worship gets my mind off my concerns and reminds me that God is in control.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

~Matthew 6:38-34~

When you need to cope with change, choose peace.

**Allowing ourselves to dwell on our worries is different from suffering with an anxiety disorder. Day-to-day worries and anxious thoughts bother everyone from time to time. But an anxiety disorder can be marked by fear or anxious thoughts that interfere with your ability to function, fear that is out of proportion with the situation, overreactions, or an inability to control your response. If you have this kind of anxiety, you are not alone - anxiety disorders affect almost one third of adults. Talk to your doctor or to a counselor so you can get the help and relief that is right for you.**

For the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge, I've decided to explore the theme of living well and with purpose during times of change. A few years ago, as I neared the end of my years as a homeschool mom, I realized my world would change when my youngest graduated. My roles in the homeschool community and in my social circles were affected. Things changed in the workplace. Things are ever changing at church. And as my children grew up and the nest has begun to empty, family dynamics are changing. To our surprise, my husband's job ended at the very beginning of 2022, and that has brought another round of changes to consider! I know very well that writing about coping with change is not the same as having all the answers. I'll do my best to share what I'm learning and experiencing, and I'd love to hear from others in the comments.

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2022 challenge here: 28 Days of Coping With Change

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