I swivel in my office chair, wrap my hands around my chai latte, and think to myself, “Now, if I could only wrap my head around this writing project due soon . . .” I move up to my desk and tap tap tap a couple sentences on my trusty laptop, then look up to stare outside the window. Tap, tap, tap, prop my chin up with my hand, and look outside again. I can’t help it, really. I find comfort in its familiar summer view: bluebirds alighting off pines, kitties chasing grasshoppers, containers spilling geraniums.
When I look out a window, I usually see hope looking back in. I see hope and a way to enter into that hope.
Since January, our family has experienced one change after another. Some have been good ones and right on schedule — a celebratory part of our family’s story. Some have been unexpected and not asked for — no ma’am. Both have shaken and stirred this season like a fast-moving storm to the sea, and sometimes it all makes this 40-something mama feel mighty seasick.
I’ve never experienced a nor’easter, a storm that typically brings strong winds, heavy precipitation, rough seas, and coastal flooding to the Northeast region of our country, but you can bet I’ve experienced one figuratively. You know of what I speak. You get one challenge sent your way, and you’re holding on just fine. But then another smacks right into you, and it’s just too much. The sudden job loss and the diagnosis out of nowhere. The discovered secret and the news of a hike in rent. The breakdown of that relationship and the breakdown of the family car. The letter of rejection and the awareness of public scrutiny. It’s all too much for this day, this week, this season. So, when you need to do that productive thing — because other parts of life keep moving right along — you find yourself staring out the window. Again.
A while back, I came across these verses of Scripture, and they snapped me to attention from my window staring:
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
John 5:2-4 (NKJV)
It’s fascinating that the waters had to be stirred up for someone to be healed within them. Not only that, but those who entered into the stirred-up waters only did so because they had faith the healing would come.
Sometimes change is very much that which stirs up the waters, isn’t it? The question for you and I to answer is this: Do we have faith to believe that even though the calm has been disturbed, healing comes when we step into change rather than stay away from it?
Can we accept that if God is asking us to walk through very life-stirring changes, it’s because doing so will bring healing to us in one way or another?
When I consider my family’s season of change, I realized “stepping into the waters” meant I had to stop rushing past the difficult parts of it. Instead, I needed to bring them into the presence of Jesus, and let Him minister to me from the inside out.
Not only that, I had to share the hard parts of this season with my safe people. I had to look for God throughout the storm, not around it or under it or over it. While life holds difficult change, Jesus holds everything together as He walks us toward healing.
If on this August day you find yourself looking out the windows (or at Netflix or at the grocery’s chocolate aisle) to escape the swirling storm and find comfort in the familiar, take heart. Have your moment there, yes, and then bravely step into this season by bringing your struggles to Jesus. Show your battle scars to your safe people as you look for God within this season of change. He is your Anchor in the storm, and He walks in the swirling waters of change with you.
May you and I enter in with Him, our ultimate source of healing Hope.
Joann says
I love this. My family has been hit with a lot of change lately. Some of it can’t be fought or fixed. All that is left is too except it and pray for strength to endure it.
Kristen Strong says
Praying for you and your family right now, Joann. May you sense the Lord giving you just enough for each and every day, and may you see signs of His goodness and hope within the changes. Sending love.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Kristen,
I admit that I have never been one who embraced change – especially a lot of changes at once. I believe for my own benefit, and in order to shape my person to be more like Jesus, God had to break me of my rut and routine loving security. The only way to learn that our security can only be found in Him is sometimes to have to step into the sea of swirling change around you. Is it easy? No. Do I cry out with groans only the Holy Spirit can interpret? Yes. This, however, is the place where God’s grace is found – smack in the middle of the storms of change. I’ve learned I can fight against it, from doing so I only wear myself out more, or I can try to go with it and lean into His love, hang on, and trust. Not easy, but He does give us the grace and strength to endure and arise victorious. Praying for you and your family, Kristen, as you so through this season of change and turbulent waters.
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xo
Kristen Strong says
I love this, Bev. Thank *you*. xoxo
Michele Morin says
OH, so timely: fall is the season of change and it’s coming at us like a freight train!
Thanks for words that encourage me toward flexibility and a walking-through-change without breaking.
Kristen Strong says
You’re welcome, Michele! And thank you for your encouragement!
Lauren Griesmeyer says
I have had quite a bit of changes lately…and was starting to get a little daunted by them…..until I took them to the Master repeatedly…..not once….but several times in order to keep on going…..sometimes we might feel like we are in this alone….but we have to remember we are not……getting out with a good friend may help! God bless you for your faith to walk on…..
Kristen Strong says
I love this, Lauren. Sometimes following Christ is a day-by-day decision and a process. Grateful for you and the words you’ve shared here!
Lauren Griesmeyer says
Thankyou Kristen……I appreciate your words too! And Thanks for your writeup! God Bless and keep you!
Lauren
Debbie says
Wow! I love your perspective (and permission to eat chocolate)! I am so resistant to change that I bristle at the thought. To look at it as a journey with my Lord sounds inviting! Praying I can remember this next time I’m struggling with a double whammy instead of my full-on panic mode. This is a good start to my Saturday. Blessings for your weekend as well. And yes, I definitely want (need) your book!
Kristen Strong says
My new mantra is “prayer over panic.” Because, yeah–my knee-jerk reaction is to panic. So, know I get what you’re saying!
Thank you for sharing here, Debbie. Your words are a gift. xoxo
Penny says
Kristen,
Thank-you for your well said words of encouragement
In all things give thanks.
Thessalonions 5:18
While it might not always be easy, it must also mean change.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Kristen Strong says
In all things give thanks. Amen.
Thank you, Penny.
LeAnn Caseria says
While I’ve never, ever been a fan of change, I feel like I’ve always been able to lean into my Jesus, hold on and muck my way through.
Now, not so much…I see myself clinging to him as he’s trying make a path, dragging me behind him. For lots of reasons I am tired this time.
Thanks for your words. They help.
Kristen Strong says
LeAnn, oh, how it’s hard to persevere through it. I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. I’m praying now you sense the Lord giving you enough for today–this hour, even. And that He does the same for you tomorrow.
Sending love to you, LeAnn.
Nancy Ruegg says
Thank you, Kristen, for this enlightening post. I’m seeing that story with new eyes, about the invalids at the Pool of Bethesda. Never thought of the “stirring up” as symbolic of change. But you are so right: Healing comes when we step into the change rather than stay away from it. There IS a grieving process for what was, and a learning curve to accept what is, or is coming. In my experiences of painful change, time with Jesus, in scripture, and with safe people all helped tremendously. Praise God, he does indeed hold us together!
Kristen Strong says
Nancy, I love everything you say here so much. A grieving process for what was, and a learning curve to accept what is. Amen. Thank YOU.
Nancy Ruegg says
Praise God you found my comments meaningful. Blessings to you today, Kristen!
Becky Keife says
I feel myself staring out the window with you, Kristen. Sometimes life is just too much. But God, right? I’m so thankful that Jesus never gets overwhelmed by our circumstances. He IS that promised anchor. Holding fast and true and sure, no matter the storms or tide of change that come. Thanks for reminding us of His steadfast love and gaze, just waiting for us to fix ours on Him. xx
Kristen Strong says
But God indeed.
Thank you for your words here, Becky. You’re a gift!
Kathy Cheek says
I turned 60 a month ago and my first book is coming out in October, so this late bloomer is feeling the waters stirring, swirling, changing…I have learned you can experience fear even with good things, because they are new and unfamiliar, so your words today helped me in the midst of all my swirling thoughts!
Kristen Strong says
Congrats on the impending book release, Kathy! I’m cheering for you!! Sending love.
Diane says
We walk through a storm faith Him on the waters… We are in a challenge in excitement i faith of His healing and grace. Prayers for strength grace and miracle healing . Thank you for your timely words. God’s blessings
Diane
Kristen Strong says
Praying those things for you right now, Diane. xoxo
Beth Williams says
Kristen,
Praying for you in this season full of changes. May God quiet your souls & calm you down. No one likes going through change of any kind. It is scary not knowing what to expect. Life being what it is makes transitions inevitable. It is during those times that we must hold fast to the anchor of Christ. Let Him solidify you while all else around you is crumbling. I believe God allows storms in our lives to mold us into the person He wants us to be. He is also teaching us to trust Him more fully. I have found that when trials come my way I cling to Jesus more & my prayer life is better. The benefit of having gone through trials is that my faith was matured. I trust God more now than ever. No more fear of the unknown.
Praying for all here going through any trials/changes. May God comfort you & your family. May you feel His peace & comfort in your souls.
Blessings 🙂
Kristen Strong says
This: ” I believe God allows storms in our lives to mold us into the person He wants us to be.” ~Yes and amen.
Thank you for your prayers, Beth! You’re so beloved.
kerry Campbell says
Oh Kristen, I love this. Thank you for the association between stirred up waters and healing. It’s a picture I will remember!
Kristen Strong says
Me too, Kerry! And thank YOU for your kind encouragement. xo
Denise Jarman says
Dear Kristen, Thank you for your words today( the 26th for me! ). Your words confirmed something that God was saying to me through another email I just read. It was from Levi Lusko and he was saying that we should be running towards our fears. He shared a story about how the lion and lionness hunt together. The lion roars and we tend to want to run the other way, but that means we are running towards the lioness who is hiding in the opposite direction to the lion. Levi says to run towards the roar !
Straight after reading this I read your email about walking through life stirring changes and it helped me see I have been afraid to retire from my missionary organisation. This year is the first year I haven’t been involved specifically in training others for missions, and I’ve had to think about retiring from my organisation generally. I am 70 and single ( never married ) and have been afraid that I will now be very alone without belonging anywhere. I believe this is the step I must take and will share these thoughts at our annual conference next month. Thank you for your part in my decision.
Blessings,
Denise in Tasmania
Kristen Strong says
Denise–thank YOU so much for sharing this story of running toward the roar. I won’t soon forget that!!
Also, I’m praying for you right now as you prepare your next steps for your organization. As the Lord directs your actions and you do as He asks, may He will bring you to a blessed belonging place. Sending love to you, Denise!
Maylee says
Change is hard isn’t it even when we see it coming. We get so caught in our own comfort zone and safe bubble that we hardly step out of it. I truly believe that when we make the effort to extend ourselves, especially to those we would never think of extending to, that is when we will see great changes within ourself. This life is meant to be shared and yes it is so natural to share it with those who loves us or those we love. We enjoy doing that but what if we challenge ourselves to step outside of our little bubble and love on those who are hurting, those who know nothing of His love and those who will never be able to love us back. What great joy that would be if we could be the light for them! I am here today as a result of someone believing in me, someone pursuing me like Jesus pursued me. What amazing things can happen when we can show someone this love. Thank you for sharing this!
Kristen Strong says
Maylee, consider me standing on my chair and giving you a standing ovation for this. Here’s to helping ourselves during change by helping another. Sending love!
Noreen Sevret says
Thank you for writing this. It encouraged me on this sunny September afternoon when I, like you were, am looking out the window and going over the changes happening in my life. I should order your book and ten check back here more often. ♡