Change, Struggle or Loss

How do we handle change, struggle or loss?  I don't believe we can do it well - on our own. 

Right now, I'm struggling a bit with change. it’s difficult to let go of the past comfort of feeling at home and valued in my own little everyday world.

 
In Beth Moore’s Bible study, “Chasing Vines.”  She mentions the phrase “Make it matter.”

So, I ask God, who should it matter to?

To Him - Are my struggles helping me to see you, God?  Am I glorifying you in the way I handle them?  Am I drawing closer to you or further away as I squirm in my struggles?  Am I depending on you as you say I should?  I believe these things really do matter to you, my Father. Please Help me see them in my every days.

To other people - Are other people hurt by my struggles?  Am I encouraging them or bringing them down?  Am I reaching out to help or only to be helped?  It’s so hard to see this in myself, but Father, you see it in me.  Help me to follow your lead.
 
Another thing that I noticed in the study is that I must grow from change!  If I’m to please you, my Father I must use this time to grow muscles - spiritual muscles.  I need them in order be patient and to persevere.  I’ll need those muscles also to grow in knowledge.  Just living through change can help me see your  hand in my life, but I know I must search your word to find strength to do that growing.  Father, please open my eyes.

Friends, years ago, I wrote this little poem for my daughter, but I find I need it sometimes myself.  Maybe you do too.

I'm in this place.  My God has put me here.

I'm in His grace, no matter when or where.

He'll walk with me through sorrow and through care.

 

I'm in this place.

I'm in this time.

I'm not alone.

 

I'll be content.  I'll meet each day with song.

He's always there to wipe a tear or right a wrong.

And when I'm weak, he's by my side to make me strong.

 

I'm in this place.

I'm in this time.

I'm not alone.

 

God's in this home. His arms around me here.

God's in this night.  He makes the dawn appear.

God's in my life, in all that I hold dear.

 

He's in your place.

He's in your time.

You’re not alone.