How do you handle change when the unexpected enters your life?
I may take ridiculous pleasure in creating plot twists for my stories. Maybe I’m a little mischievous because I enjoy watching my characters struggle. Mostly, I delight in the journey I know will help them learn and grow through the challenge.
Can I just be honest and say that I’m not fond of real-life plot twists? Torn ACLs, snow days in May, losing family members, and other challenges that force change into the rhythms of my days are not unexpected events I appreciate. They’re inconveniences to be dealt with and plowed through.
Perhaps, it’s that I don’t like not knowing what I can expect. Or, it could be (ahem) that I like being in control. Whatever it is, when a plot twist veers me from my anticipated path, I must decide how I’ll handle change.
Here’s the truth. It’s when God writes a plot twist into my story that I learn to seek Him and cling tightly. When we trip into unexpected circumstances, God knows what’s needed to help us grow through the challenges. He lifts our arms so we don’t completely smack the ground with our faces.
Choices We Make To Handle Change
When plot twists enter our lives, we always have options. We can try to control the situation and attempt to keep things the same. Or, we can choose to lean into the changes and look for God’s fingerprints in the situation.
When we strive to force things to stay the same, we will probably end up feeling frustrated, angry, and eventually, bitter. And here, again, we make a choice. Will we still believe God is who He says He is when we’re in that frame of mind? Or, will we give up on God and follow Frank Sinatra’s example of doing it our own way?
When the unexpected happens in our lives, and the things we thought we knew and believed are flipped upside down, that’s when faith is truly tested. When circumstances leave us confused and questioning, we always have One we can turn to. One who can help us handle change.
The Best Way to Handle Change in Unexpected Circumstances—When circumstances leave us confused and questioning, we always have One we can turn to #tellhisstory #changes #perspective Click To TweetGod knows the things we face will sometimes be painful. He also knows the beauty He desires to create through the pain if we choose to trust Him, to cling to Him.
Knowing this doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to navigate the circumstance. But knowing our Father walks with us—guiding our every step—offers us peace. And, when we choose to trust God though we don’t understand—when the pain stabs sharp—our Father is blessed. And, He draws near to us.
Truth to Hold Onto
Chances are good most of us won’t be stuck in the “hard” forever. We will come through it. When we trust the Lord, we have the opportunity to grow . . .
closer to our Father,
as human beings,
and in how we are able to help and encourage others.
But we must choose . . . will we turn away from or pivot toward our Father? That one decision makes all the difference.
The Best Way to Handle Change in Unexpected Circumstances—But we must choose . . . will we turn away from or pivot toward our Father? That one decision makes all the difference #tellhisstory #changes #perspective Click To TweetConclusion
Turning away from God gives us perceived control and a whole lot of pain. Facing Him means we choose to relinquish control and lean into His strength. We have the opportunity to trust Him to help us handle change.
The Author of our faith and lives knows what we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
Thankfully, He’s not mischievous or capricious in how He writes the chapters of our lives.
Like my characters, I’m learning to lean into the twists in life and to trust my Father. And He graciously meets me in each unexpected happening. He enables me to handle change. And, He reminds me how much He loves me.
What about you? How do you handle change when plot twists happen in your life? What helps you to choose to trust God when you walk through painful circumstances?
P.S. This post first appeared on my other site a couple years ago. Also, next week the Tell His Story link up will be at Lisa Jordan’s place.
Most weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Come share your story at the #TellHisStory #linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! Click To Tweet
Such beautiful photos!
Thank you, my friend!
I don’t handle change well, either. Thank you for your insights about trusting God through the changes. Love the textures on the trees in your photos!
Kathy, thanks for your commiseration and your encouraging words. 🙂 I really enjoy photographing trees. 🙂
‘It’s when God writes a plot twist into my story that I learn to seek Him and cling tightly.’
Yes, yes. This is when I’ve learned the lessons I should have learned earlier, easier, elsewhere. He knows what we need and how we need to receive it.
What a wonderful Savior …
Agreed, Linda. When the plot twists turn my life in a completely unexpected direction, I am most open to learning and drawing closer to Jesus. He is a wonderful Savior!
Aw, Jeanne … I confess—I’m not a big fan of plot twists. I manage them by reading ahead in books, but life is another story! After reading this, though, it actually comforts me to think of these sudden changes as plot twists. Even though I can’t read ahead in my life (or, more urgently, the lives of my children) I know the Author and Perfecter of our faith already has the whole story mapped out. As you point out, He’ll give us what we need to get to the end. I’m so grateful for that.
Lois, I agree about your views on plot twists. And yes, the Author and Perfecter of our faith does know our story, even when those plot twists involve those we love most. I’m so thankful for His provision for every twist and turn our lives take.
I’m currently working through a plot twist in my life that I did not see coming, and that I am really struggling with. I’m glad I can turn to the Lord and know that he is working on it even harder than I am. I can trust him to handle me as I adjust to the change. Thanks for this encouragement here to keep leaning in, Jeanne!
Ahhh, Lisa. I believe most plot twists hit us unawares. I’m saying a prayer for you right now. Like you, I’m so glad we can turn to the Lord and know He’s got the situation, and He’s got us in the palm of His hand.
Thank you for encouraging me today, Jeanne. I find this so true in my life as well – “It’s when God writes a plot twist into my story that I learn to seek Him and cling tightly.” We need those testings in our lives to cling more tightly and trust His faithful character, right? Love and blessings of strength and peace!
Trudy, I’m so glad these words encouraged you. Yes, those tests do have a way of drawing us closer to Jesus and clinging tightly. Thank goodness He is faithful and trustworthy! I’m sending love and blessings right back at ya, friend!
I don’t like plot twists either! So much wisdom in your words.
Thanks, Lauren. I’m praying for you today.
Bit late but what the heck.
Some say it is a shibboleth,
my firm belief in God,
my prayers a waste of precious breath,
and on the whole quite odd
to find in such a strong-willed man,
example of the Alpha Male,
but they do not understand
that God’s the author of this tale,
and that my brave-talk bluster
and reliance on my will
shall leave me just like Custer
upon his lonely hill,
dying in his ego-trap
and saying at the end, “Oh, crap.”
Andrew, it’s never too late to post your thoughts here. We both know prayers and the breaths they fly on are never wasted. You’re complete belief that God is the author of your tale has been such an inspiration! Thankfully, God never leaves us alone, no matter what others may think based on what they see. I’m praying for you an Barb, my friend.
Hello Jeanne! Thank you for visiting me and leaving such a wonderful comment on my Summer Family Trip post.
You have a great blog…and great writing skills :). I am following now and joining the link party.
Have a great day!
Hello Sinzinana! Thank you so much for stopping by! And thanks for your kind words. I look forward to connecting more online. You have a great day too. 🙂
I’m in a Triple Plot twist this week – and it’s left me flailing. Thank you for this timely message – you’d think I know, but I needed a good reminder to just trust God with each step!
Oy, triple plot twists can be draining! I’m saying prayers for you today, Maryleigh. We all need reminders to just trust God, don’t we? God’s got you.
I love this, Jeanne, especially this: “And, when we choose to trust God though we don’t understand—when the pain stabs sharp—our Father is blessed. And, He draws near to us.” So true! First we need to trust so we can abide in His presence.
Yes, Lisa. Trusting God through all of life’s changes makes such a difference in how we walk through them! And abiding in His presence offers peace when those changes are difficult.
This sentence caught my eye, “He lifts our arms so we don’t completely smack the ground with our faces.” It so reminds me of the picture of parents, one on either side, walking with their child. Which is what God does to us. We choose whether we will willingly follow his leading of us, or if we will struggle and wiggle free from of his loving hands and head down the path without him.
Theresa, that’s the picture I had too. 🙂 I’m so thankful God holds our hand, but not so tightly that we can’t pull away if we are so determined. But, I’m beyond thankful that He picks me/us up again. Thanks for sharing the visual I had in my head. 🙂
Plot twists keep us entertained and reading! Maybe we could see our life plot twists the same way? Something that we get excited for and wonder what is next? Of course, hope would have to be the major element of any plot twists, as that is the cornerstone to keep on even in the hard!
Lynn, I like the idea of seeing plot twists in our lives as things that we can get excited about. I agree that hope would have to be the foundation of that perspective. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this different way of looking at change!
I’m not a fan of plot twists in my life! But God uses them every single time to help me grow in ways that, while painful, are much needed. Thank you for that reminder!
Anita, you and I are of the same heartbeat when it comes to plot twists in our own lives, LOL. I completely resonate with the truth that those hard changes in my life have also been the ones that have brought me so much closer to Jesus.
Great post Jeanne!
I take challenges moment by moment with the Lord.
For its only in His strength can I do this life especially in this season of chronic health conditions.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, this is the best way to take challenges! I’m sure you’ve had a lot of practice. HUGS.
I like some changes–like crisp breezes and beautiful colors of fall. But changes that are inconvenient or painful–not so much. I love the point that turning away from or to the Father makes all the difference. We may not understand the changes He allows, but we know He doesn’t allow any without a purpose.
Who likes feeling like they’ve lost control? Not me for sure. But when I remember that I’m held by the one who has ultimate control and that He is a good Father, I breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks for the reminder to cling to Him when we face unexpected changes.
Carlie, I have to agree. When we remember God is in control of my life and that He is GOOD, that does allow us to breathe more freely. Thank you for sharing this truth!
Barbara, I’m so with you. The changes in season are usually changes I welcome. By the time autumn comes, I’m ready for summer’s heat to transition into autumn’s nip. And, believe it or not, I usually embrace the first snow fall. And then when trees begin showing their buds, I get all giddy inside. But those life changes that are hard, painful, and filled with uncertainty are much more challenging for me to embrace. I’m so thankful that, when we turn to God, He meets us and walks with us through the changes He knows are coming in our lives.
The Romans 8:28 Good that God works in and through “all things ” may not appear when I think it should, and often when it does, it looks nothing like what I thought it would. Therefore, FAITH…!
Yes, Michele. Romans 8:28 makes it sound so easy. But thank goodness, when God works that good, He’s with us through the hard time that brings us to the good. Faith indeed!