How do we move forward when life changes?

How do we continue moving on when life changes unexpectedly?  Obviously, we have to “keep swimming – or start sinking.”  Do we just trudge forward blindly and try to make things work on our own?  Or do we take a moment, pray about the situation, and seek God’s direction for our lives?  Sometimes God uses these life changing moments to get our attention, in order that we get our priorities of life back on track…especially since life is a gift that should not be squandered.   

What we initially see as a roadblock, such as losing a job, may easily end up being a blessing in disguise.  When God closes one door, we have to carefully pray about the situation as we wait for him to open another door or doors.  Metaphorically speaking, we can rattle the handles of different doors to see which doors are stuck shut and which doors open, even if we only catch a glimpse of what is behind the door.  Occasionally, God will give us a few open doors and make us decide our future destiny, even though everything may not be as it appears on the surface.  For example, one door may provide immediate monetary gain at the expense of your family and another door may provide you the opportunity to have a stable family life at the possible expense of financial security. 

Jesus Christ made it clear that sometimes we have to make life changing decisions in our lives, with the following words.

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)   

Interesting enough, some people may perceive losing a job as a roadblock and the only way out of the situation is to get a better job.  However, other people may see a job loss only as a temporary setback since it allows them the opportunity to bond closer with their family members and try new things in life, such as possibly starting a business or serving fulltime in the ministry.  There is nothing wrong with trying to get a better job, as long as it does not negatively impact your personal relationship with God.

The following words of Jesus Christ help us better understand what open doors we should choose for our personal lives, especially when it comes to choosing new career paths.

“No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV)

Overall, we need to make sure God is the center of our lives for all decisions and be content wherever he places us at different stages of our lives.  The author of Hebrews tells us – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)  James reminds us how Job, an Old Testament patriarch, persevered while enduring numerous hardships and how God later blessed him for his obedience. (James 5:11; Job 1; 2:1-10; 42:10, 12) 

As for a closing thought, the Apostle Paul explains how everything works together for God’s purpose with the words – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

How do we handle life changes?

When life happens – and changes – how do we handle it?  When things change for the better, such as getting a job promotion, we can easily praise God and express our gratitude.  Conversely, we can easily get lost in our successes and possibly forget how God has blessed our path.  What do we do when our life seems to fall apart, like losing a job in a troubled economy?  Do we still have that same zeal for God or do we resent the situation? 

As people face struggles, especially financial struggles, sometimes they feel as though withdrawing seems to be the best answer, be it avoiding family, friends, church and/or God.  When people tighten their belts to accommodate shrinking budgets, the feelings of awkwardness can become overwhelming as their limited finances may make it difficult to dine out, enjoy outside entertainment or financially contribute to their church.  The perception of switching roles from a provider to a recipient can be an extremely humbling experience for some people, no matter how temporary the situation.    

Life happens to everyone around us, whether good or bad.  When it comes to our jobs, sometimes we can make the mistake of identifying ourselves with our occupations, instead of our niches and interests in life as well as our relationship with God.  Basically, a job is only a means of supporting ourselves and/or our families, not our ultimate goal in life.  Although people going through hard times may find it difficult to see God’s providence through the process, the Apostle Paul tells us how God may use these circumstances to make us a better person.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NIV) 

Nevertheless, as believers, we need to remember life is a gift and we should be content in whatever situation God places us. (I Timothy 6:6-8)  God will never give us more than we can bear, even though we may not even know our own limits or stamina to endure. (I Corinthians 10:13)  The Prophet Isaiah uses the analogy of the potter and the clay to describe our relationship with God. (Isaiah 64:8)  Whereas, sometimes we just do not know the reason why things happen, but the way we respond to any given situation defines our character.