Do you struggle with change?

Change is inevitable, the seasons demonstrate this to us every quarter.

But in the seasons of life while some change may be inevitable, it’s not always welcome nor easy to handle, is it?

This will be our topic for today my friend while enjoying a cuppa together.

So grab yours, get comfy & we’ll begin…

Recently, I’ve been juggling thoughts of the seasons of life. Why?

Because Seasons is the word I have for this year.

Habits

Its been a habit of mine, for the past two decades, to read over my previous year’s personal journal entries at the beginning of a new year.

I do this for the following reasons;

1. I get to have a bird’s eye view, so to speak, of the entire year’s journey.
2.  I can see how wonderfully God brought together circumstances that while difficult at the time, when looking back I can see how His wisdom resolved many of those situations. But always in His timing & in His way.
3. It’s a source of great encouragement knowing how God has been with me every step of the way in the year that was & moving forward will be in the year to come.

I also get to see how I coped within situations & circumstances that were presented to me, an analysis if you like of my thoughts, feelings & coping strategies.

Which gives me a basis to change certain actions & reactions for the future if needed. A self improvement exercise.

Why Self awareness & improvement?

Well mainly because its a legacy from my Professional days as a Clinical Counsellor.

Self awareness is very important as a Clinical Therapist in how we think, feel & react to patients in their many & varied experiences.

And what we take to our debriefing sessions with our Clinical Supervisors.

But also because some changes in life are easier to cope with then others on a personal level.

And I believe that we need to be aware how we handle change, both expected & unexpected in our lives, as change is inevitable in this life,

Let’s explore this a little more…

Expected change is quite different to unexpected change! 

We all expect change in our lives as we progress in life, don’t we?

For we know that with the passing of time comes change. These changes are not necessarily negative, in fact they can be very positive.

Over our lifetime we may enjoy the arrival of many blessings in our lives with careers, relationships & family.

As we age hopefully we learn from experience that what we fretted about in our younger years we need not in the ensuing years.

Hopefully we have learnt that by coming to God’s throne of Grace about all things in life, He is the One who takes care of the circumstances & situations in our lives.

Fretting & worry about these things only prove to harm us & doesn’t change the situation at all.

Then there’s unexpected change that many of us dread…

The unexpected diagnosis that came out of left field or the early morning phone call that notifies us of the sudden & tragic death of a loved One.

The unexpected change that comes to us may be less dramatic then the things mentioned above but no less traumatic.

Yes, unexpected change can be very traumatic indeed!

Looking over personal journals can reveal such wonderful insight!

Although it’s my habit each year to look over my past year’s journal entries, every 5-10 years I look over the broader journey I have travelled.

Having written a conclusion to each passing year makes this task easier.

It’s always full of encouraging revelations & blessings to do so.

For I can see the journey & process from a different perspective, God’s perspective!

In how He has led me on His pathways through the circumstances in my life & how I have both processed & handled those circumstances emotionally & spiritually.

Looking over the past ten years, I realise I’ve been in a Season of Quietness.

The following scripture comes to mind;

‘The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack.

…He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

He refreshes and restores my soul…’

Psalm 23: 1-2

Yes, its definitely been a long season in learning more of the The Art of Quietness. 

Something that isn’t always easy to do!

To be comfortable in quietness no matter what’s going on around us often means going through circumstances that do the very opposite to unquieten our souls!

If you have a moment please read Here for further explanation. 

Until then dear friend,

Jennifer 

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or 

In Prayer

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