Summer is almost here and slowly, we are returning to some normalcy. Yet, many feel inadequate to face new or more challenges at this point. This month we explore how we can overcome the anxieties of change by trusting God’s hands. His mighty, faithful hands command change, save us from danger or despair and keep us safe.
His hands we can trust!
Nature tells another change in season – summer- is almost here! Trees have bloomed. Gardens are taking shape with flowers and landscaping. Warmer temperatures and longer sunlight hours are increasing in frequency. Slowly, our communities are reaching a level of returning to some normalcy after a year of deep stress, nationwide and worldwide. Some are ending their careers as they knew it as their companies no longer exist and many households don’t look the same anymore. We feel inadequate to face new challenges. For some, even their faith has been shaken…
And we search desperately for a sense of stability amidst all the changes. You can’t help but ask ‘Who can I trust? We must echo the Psalmist words: “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:14-15a. We must take refuge and gain strength in God’s hands. His hands we can trust.
I was once in a graduate class that taught us among other things that ‘change is normal’. All class projects forced us to face the challenges presented in new, unexpected ways. It taught us there were other ways to problem solve and that helped us to handle the unknowns with courage, not anxiety. A lesson I have kept through the years.
The Bible gives us several examples of people that were able to overcome the anxieties of change because they trusted God. Think of Joshua facing the role of leading the people into the promised land after Moses’ death. Think of Daniel’s experiences while in exile. He was pressured on every side to give up his faith and trust in God, yet he remained faithful and saw God’s hands at work in powerful ways as he had never experienced before: God’s hands protected his friends while in the furnace (Daniel 3:17-27). God’s righteous hand wrote a judgment message on the palace wall (Daniel 5:5); God’s hands protected Daniel himself after he was thrown in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:16-22). Trusting God’s hands does not mean we won’t have to face trials. It means we can keep on marching holding His mighty hands.
As God created the world, His hands commanded and guided each change. God said: ‘let there be light’ and He separated the light from the darkness and then separated the waters… you know the order of creation. In each thing created, God saw that it was good. On the sixth day, His hands formed man, created in his own image, out of the dust (Genesis 1:3-27).
God’s mighty hands closed the door of the ark so that Noah and his family could survive the flood. To guide His people out of slavery in Egypt, God’s hands created a pillar of cloud and fire to guide them so that they could travel by day or night (Exodus 13:21). His hands opened the Red sea so that His people could go through the sea on dry ground (Exodus 14:16). His hands we can trust.
God’s hands assisted Mary and Joseph as the savior was born in a manger and provided the star that led the wise men to find Jesus. Later, His hands woke up Joseph to instruct him to take the baby and Mary and flee the danger of Herod’s order to murder children…
Jesus hands guided change. His hands changed water into wine, embraced children, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, broke bread with the one who later betrayed him, restored the slashed ear of one of the guards that arrested him… Jesus’ hands were pierced for ALL our transgressions so that our debt of sin before God could be redeemed, the ultimate change needed for our salvation! Yes, God’s hands guide us each step of the way in life to eternity. His hands we can trust.
Changes and transitions often bring questions and unknowns. In the Salvation Army East, June is a month of changes. Newly commissioned Lieutenants (those individuals that completed their two-year training to become Salvation Army Officers) receive their first appointment. Second-year Cadets engage in their summer assignment. Officers farewelling throughout the territory also transition to their new assigned place of service, including myself!
Change can be daunting as we navigate the waters of what is new and/or unknown. Rather than paralyzing out of fear or feeling anxious, we must pause to acknowledge what we have learned in the process before the impending change and then, march on with courage trusting God. The unknowns of tomorrow are already known by Him!
I personally pause to thank God for the privilege of sharing with all of you for the past two years as the Territorial Women’s Ministries Secretary. It has been an opportunity to grow and learn new things. I look forward to what God has in store as I continue to serve Him because I know He goes with me wherever I go.
As a baby in the arms of his parents, we must trust we are safe in the hands of our Almighty God. We may not know the details of our future, but God does. He is El-Olam, the eternal God. We may feel overwhelmed right now with the present we are living, but God whispers to us ‘relax, I’m holding your hand until you make it through to the other side. I am faithful to my covenant with you’.
We are never out of God’s sight. Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands: your walls are ever before me.” We can face change with confidence when we hold on to God’s righteous hand, knowing His power will sustain us and His faithful love will be sufficient.
Trust that God will open the way for you to go through life on safe ‘dry ground’ as He did with the Israelites out of Egypt. His hands we can trust!
Questions to personally reflect or discuss in group:
- Have you ever been rescued from a dangerous or scary situation where you stretched your hands seeking help? Which hands rescued you then? Do you do the same with God when you face new challenges?
- Take a moment to write down all the things we can do with our hands to provide help/support to someone in need/experiencing challenges. Then, consider what Isaiah 49:16 says to discuss how God provides each of us the help we need when we face changes.
- Analyze the statement “Change is normal” considering what the following passages say:
- Malachi 3:6
- Psalm 46:1-7
- Philippians 1:6
Written by Major Janet González, Territorial Women’s Ministries
