I don’t like change. Until his unexpected accidental death, I was married to my first husband for twenty-eight years. We had planned to grow old together, and during those first few months after his sudden departure to Heaven, I was afraid to face many of the new realities of my widowhood and singleness. We had lived in our family home for twenty-six years, and it was difficult to move out of the house and then sell the home—but it was an important transition for my new beginning. God helped me navigate through the challenge of beginning again by taking each decision as a small step toward the new territory He would give me.
Is there a new thing on the horizon for you? Let’s expect for God to show us new things about our fresh start. While captives in Babylon, the children of Israel experienced the challenge of feeling like God had forgotten them, and they didn’t like it much. God’s deliverance had not yet come. His timing was not at all what they expected; they were still in exile. God gave them hope through the prophet Isaiah that new things were going to happen.
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things: before they spring forth I will declare them to you.” —Isaiah 42:9 (NIV)
They were told to watch for the new thing, to anticipate it, not to miss it. In the same way, God sends us messages of hope to encourage us to keep praying, waiting, and believing His promises.
Choose to view your situation with wonder instead of worry.
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it?” —Isaiah 43:18, 19 (NIV)
Instead of living with “the giddies,” ask God to load you up “with more grace.” Ask God to develop character instead of seeking comfort. You don’t want to miss out on the amazing gifts found in new beginnings! And when your new thing comes, praise God for His blessings.
“Sing to the Lord a new song.” —Isaiah 43:10 (NIV)
Edward B. Pusey says, “Because perseverance is so difficult, even when supported by the grace of God, from that is the value of new beginnings. For new beginnings are the life of perseverance.”
In my new beginning as a widow and single woman, I chose to find new things for which I could be thankful. God gave me new gifts almost every day; I developed “God-confidence” and a deeper faith and received the “souvenirs of solitude” as my Heavenly Father helped me and held me through the adjustments. God changed my fear of change into faith with confidence. Is there a change you’ve been forced to make that you dread? Okay, it’s time for you to turn your over fears to God and choose to trust Him by faith. If I can do it, so can you. Let me pray for you.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the change ahead. You know my every thought and emotion about it. Help me to accept it. Help me to trust your hand in it. I choose to turn my fears over to you. I ask you to calm my anxious heart. Give me peace. Turn my fear into faith. I choose to trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
