When Life is Changing
The wood beneath my feet was unfamiliar and the length between each step was new. Hoping not to wake the children, I tiptoed carefully listening for how the house might creak. I reached the final step and made my way to the living room. There was a familiar comfort of the furniture that had been with me for the past ten years. I sunk down deep into my cold brown leather chair and took a deep breath. I looked around and embraced the new and unfamiliar.
Seasons come and seasons go. It seems easy when we consider seasons in terms of the weather, but when it comes to seasons of life it’s down right hard. There is nothing easy about change. It can be exciting and exhilarating, but there’s something comforting about the familiar parts and places of life.
Then there’s the unfamiliar. You know, the seasons of life that don’t feel cozy – the ones when marriage isn’t feeling happily ever after or when the children don’t act like they’ve ever been taught to obey. The moments in life when illness or financial strain seep so deeply into every part of life that you can’t even perform your daily tasks because life is in the way. It’s the times when God calls you outside of your normal and everything He instructs you to do is different than anything you’ve ever done before.
When things are unfamiliar and change makes you wonder what God is doing, here are a few things to remember:
When the stairs creak beneath your feet and the unsettled feeling starts creeping in, remember God already knew the steps you would walk and exactly how it would feel, sound, and be. He knows every struggle you will face in your family and life.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9(ESV)
2. God directs every step. It’s our job to follow.
Sometimes obedience is against everything we want. It doesn’t add up, make sense, or seem clear, but it’s right. God knows where you should go and what it will look like as you take that leap. He knows the way you will hesitate, wonder, and feel a bit uneasy.
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8(ESV)
3. God is with you each step of the way.
Sometimes when you step out on faith it feels like the next step is too far in the distance and fear steps in. A lack of faith grasps our hearts making us panic before our toes slowly land on the next stair. When we forget God is there, it’s easy to be afraid, but God is there. Right there. He is with us every single step of the way.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10(ESV)
4. God knew we would fear, so He gives us His Word to encourage our trembling hearts.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27(NKJV)
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. I Thessalonians 5:24(NASB)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3(KJV)
Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133(ESV)
If you’re feeling a bit uneasy as you take the steps God is directing or if everything in your life is changing, be encouraged today to keep on stepping!
Now, when I walk down the wooden stairs and make my way into the living room, there is a familiar comfort that washes over me. God has walked these steps before me and He’s walked with me time and time again. Though I never could have imagined the steps God has directed, it’s a beautiful journey of God’s divine direction, purpose, and provision.
God has a purpose for every step. If it’s feeling unfamiliar and a bit uncertain, just keep stepping. God is with you and He created the steps, directs the steps, is with you through each step, and knows every question, fear, and uneasy feeling you face. Keep on stepping! God is with you!
Love & Blessings,
Micah
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Added to my favorite posts file. Thanks, Micah! This one was precious to me and perfectly timed as my husband and I both practically and spiritually feel the Lord is preparing “a new floor” as you say, with “new creaks” and we have no idea what that will look like. We’ve had such peace and joy that He has been directly giving lately…but need to be praying with Psalm 119:133, as the iniquity of doubt, making our own way, and choosing fear become tempting. So thankful for you!
So thankful this post was an encouragement. I hope your new season is as beautiful as ever!
Micah, this was such a beautifully encouraging post!! There were so many insights that were a blessing for me to read.
Your final paragraph summed up all the wonderful Truths we can hold onto in Christ Jesus.
“God has a purpose for every step. If it’s feeling unfamiliar and a bit uncertain, just keep stepping. God is with you and He created the steps, directs the steps, is with you through each step, and knows every question, fear, and uneasy feeling you face. Keep on stepping! God is with you!”
Thanks for sharing!
Karen, thanks for reading and for your sweet words!
Thank you for this.. How comforting to know God is always there!!
LivingProverbs31
You are so welcome!
I love that verse in Deuteronomy, it’s truth has been an anchor for me at times. So thankful for your words today, Micah, words of total hope!
I do too, Christine! I’m so thankful for the anchor we have in God’s Word, presence, and power!
These are such good scriptures to remember, Micah! I’m going through a transition myself, in fact the whole last YEAR has been one transition after another, so these 4 points and your scriptures encourage me today. Thank you.
This is such an encouraging post, thank you Micah! I am learning to embrace the seasons of life, uncertainty and all. Trusting that my loving Heavenly Father is directing my steps into the unknown. I am learning that no season lasts forever and it’s important for us to embrace the challenge of each new season with faith and courage.
Beautiful and encouraging words here. We’ve moved more than our fair share of times, so I always find comfort in knowing that God is never-changing. No matter what goes on around me in my life to unsettle me, God is not changed by any of it. And that makes him like your cozy chair… a place I can run to refuge! Blessings!
AND THIS is exactly why I have a permanent remind on my wrist: GAKAT (God Already Knew About This). Brings so much peace and removes anxiety! xo Visiting from Jennifer’s today.
God has a purpose for each step…..Oh YES~ So true, and such a great reminder that each step we take is beautiful and important – and matters. Blessings friend! :)
this is so beautiful Micah, the comfort of God is our source of strength and our light in the darkness! Thanks for the reminder as a navigate through the murky waters of the soon empty nest, and many changes! Thank you!
Such an encouraging post, Micah! The discipline of trusting Him, staying in His word and leaning on His promises brings us peace amidst the turmoil and uncertainty of life. Have a blessed week!
Hi Micah, whether sticky floors or muddy path, the Lord is with us….He knows it all…sees it all…
I enjoyed reading this article.
Thank you so much for the encouragement.
God bless you.