Change is Good …When It’s Over!
by Jim Person
We all know that change is hard, but is really good … when it’s over. Recently my wife and I were told that we had to leave our home we’d been renting. Moving house is one of the most stressful activities we all go through in our lives. For us, it was particularly hard, because we had a full schedule during this time, plus we had to apply for our resident permits to stay in the nation we live and work from, and we had no house to move into at that time. This wasn’t the first time we’ve gone through change. We’ve been in the middle of it many times. We know how challenging it can be to go through it, but we also understand what it produces is often very good, because what it does in us, and through us, makes it worth going through the difficulties … when it’s over.
Change helps you to learn about yourself, including what you can’t handle. It helps you to figure out a better path to take in life, and helps you to be open to the possibility of learning that what you’ve been doing in the past isn’t suitable for the future God has for you.
As you go through the hard place, it produces the character traits that Jesus wants to build in your life. Be encouraged. The Holy Spirit helps us as we endure it, and develops in us His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as the process is completed (Galatians 5:22-23). So, if you’re in the process of change, could you ask the Lord what He wants to develop in your life today? In doing this, I believe you’ll be amazed at what’s produced in your life ... when it’s over.
Prayer: Lord, I know I can do all things when I walk with You. In the midst of my difficulties, I know that Your grace will abound, but right now I feel stuck. I’m determined not to give up, and so I choose to press into Your presence and embrace Your grace for this time of change. Help me to walk through this time with Your strength. Help me to endure, so I can overcome and learn what You’re teaching me through it. Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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