Coping with changes – Philippians 4:8-13
8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever ishonorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is anyexcellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,and the God of peace will be with you.10I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.11Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.12I know what it is to have little, and I-know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being inneed.13I can do all things through him who strengthensme.14In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
The last couple of months, have been a time of great change in my health, in my family life, and at work, or in fact, not at work! So I have spent a lot of time reflecting on how changes both good and bad affect us, how we can best deal with change and how constant God is in a changing world.
It seems that if there is one thing that is constant in life, it’s change. There are, of course, various degrees of change, some changes aren’t worth mentioning, let alone getting worked up about (even though we often do) other changes that hit us are paralyzing. Change is rarely easy, and is often a source of great stress.
God created this life, this world and everything in it to be in a process of change, so it is something we all have to face and deal with, but how? The Bible continually encourages us to rejoice, to be at peace, to be grateful,to be glad. When everything seems to be constantly slipping in and out of our hands, how can we, in all circumstances, rejoice?
Jesus tells us to stop worrying. He logically points out that our fears cannot add even a day to our lives. He just doesn’t tell us how.
So how come few of us arrive at that peace, that freedom from anxiety that Jesus and talked so much about? I don’t believe it’s because we don’t try.
Only the light of Christ, the light of God’s unstoppable intention of redemption, can penetrate the cloud of what drains our spirits. And I wonder if sometimes in out human distress we stop looking for God, looking forChrist’s light, looking beyond ourselves at all. Because it’s only when we lift our eyes to God, that we can receive all, that God wants to give us.
When we are anxious in coping with the change and inconstancy life pelts us with, there’s just one reality we need to look for: God. Where is God in our story? Is there an openness within us for God’s presence? Are we watching for God? Do we ask how God might work in the midst of our life changes, especially when those changes are traumatic? Have we remembered God atall? When we ask that question, we enlarge the frame ofour life to include the only One who can help us. In themidst of change, I think it’s key for us to “re-frame” thepicture in order to include God in it.
“We have a choice, we can choose to try to carry theworld on our shoulders, or we can say, ‘I give up, Lord;here is my life. I give you my world.
So if like me, at this time you are “bone weary” fromcoping with all the changes and heavy lifting life puts onyour shoulders, why not turn that responsibility over toGod?
Julian of Norwich asked, “Ah, good Lord, how could all things be well, because of the great harm which has come through sin to your creatures?” This was God’sresponse to her: “I make all things well, and I can makeall things well; and you will see for yourself that every kind of thing will be well. And you can do all thingsbecause of me.” “And in these words,” says Julian, “God wishes us to be enclosed in rest and peace.”