“Change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not, abide with me!”

Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change.”

We sing that lyric and read that passage and come to the conclusion that change is a bad thing. Most people are not comfortable with change. This is especially true if the change is forced upon you. The only time we are even remotely comfortable with change is if it is our own idea.

Yet change is a reality in our fallen world. While we strive for consistency in our lives, change comes. It cannot be avoided. So how do you deal with change?

I came across an article I saved from years ago. It appeared in the newsletter from our Texas District Mission and Ministry Facilitators.  It was written by Lou Jander and addressed adapting to change. The author admitted that he had recently had difficulty accepting a change in his own life circumstances, but then offered a list of suggestions on not simply coping with change, but embracing it. Perhaps his suggestions could be helpful for all of us:

• Don’t sit and pout about the “new thing” replacing what was so familiar
• Approach the potential change with confidence and a spirit of discovery
• Look for what might be positive about the change instead of focusing on the “bad” things.
• Consider the BIG PICTURE and not just your own narrow little world.
• Spend some time learning the new rather than ignoring it and hoping it will go away.
• Don’t say, “This won’t work” until you’ve given it a real workout and a fair chance.
• Be willing to give up something in order to gain something else that may be of greater value in the future.
• Keep an open mind and spirit.
• Have fun adapting to the new.

Those are some solid, well-grounded suggestions for dealing with any change that may come into your life. Sometimes you may need to be willing to change things in your life for the sake of others, especially those who need to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. And the marvelous thing here is that when you do give of yourself, when you experience what it means to sacrifice for the sake of others, it will change you. You will feel the joy of serving the way God wants you to serve.

And as you roll with the changes in your life, you have the certainty of a God who is unchanging. He remains constant, steadfast, and with you in all the changes you encounter. The one who has paid the penalty your sins demanded through His life and death, the one who rose victorious over death to give you life and salvation, will not change.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.