“It is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself.” Elisabeth Elliot

Change is Hard. God is Good.

Posted on by Michele Morin

We came to this country hill in winter. I quit my job one day, and the next day we loaded a UHaul truck with books, furniture, and life as I understood it. Six days later, I became a mother. Change piled upon change, and for a while, who-I-was and what-was-expected-of-me in this new life became a daily mystery to be solved.

I didn’t know that bustling, energetic planners could experience post-partum depression, and I certainly did not understand the consequences of multiple super-imposed transitions.  Eventually, it became clear to me that God was the only element of this equation who had not changed, and the me who had traded in her brief case for a diaper bag began to recognize his role in orchestrating this gift of uprooting and replanting.

God’s extravagant grace has met Gina Brenna Butz as well in her messy seasons of transition. In sharing her experiences, Making Peace with Change has become the breadcrumb trail Gina has left behind, leading the way toward peace and wholeheartedness in the midst of the challenge of change. Admitting that it was hard and then bringing her heart full of doubt and resistance to God was her first step toward peace.

I’ve harvested several valuable principles from her work that I wish I’d had in place twenty-six years ago, and, given that change is inevitable, I am certain that you, too, will benefit from these anchors in truth:

1. Your season of change is an assignment from God.

Lord, You have assigned my portion and my cup, and have made my lot secure”
(Psalm 16:5).

Elisabeth Elliot found peace in this truth as well during a season of upheaval:  “It is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself.”

2.   God is good, even if we do not see it.

If you  believe in his sovereignty, take the next step and embrace his goodness.

The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)

3. Feelings of loss are real.

The losses that come with transition are God’s way of “calling us to find ourselves in a deeper place, on the solid ground of who He is and who we are in Him.” (47)  You are greater than the sum of your accomplishments, but it is also true that you should not ignore your grief. The Bible models lament when our own words won’t come, and, often, true acceptance and peace lie on the other side of grieving what has been lost.

4. Pay attention to your desires.

The desires that bubble to the surface during times of transition will reveal your true heart. Are you responding with anger? Are you tempted to escape present circumstances by checking out mentally or self-medicating with NetFlix (or worse!)? Pay attention to your responses, give them a name, and bring them into the light.

If you are currently walking through a season of transition, embrace the unknown. Making Peace with Change requires a faith-based leaning in to the process of growth God has initiated. Realizing (and admitting) your weakness is the doorway to discovering God’s strength. He longs to make all things new, and he has begun that process right here, right now as you trust him for today’s assignment with today’s grace.

Many thanks to Our Daily Bread Publishing for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.

Grace and peace to you,


I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase Making Peace with Change: Navigating Life’s Messy Transitions with Honesty and Grace, simply click on the title within the text, and you’ll be taken directly to Amazon. If you decide to buy, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Photo by Lance Asper on Unsplash

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and six adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

50 thoughts on “Change is Hard. God is Good.”

  1. Michele, such a wonderful and encouraging review. All six of those principles are so helpful in navigating change. How I wish I had those truths when I was younger. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become somewhat better when change occurs since changes have now changed me. Much wisdom in these truths for all of us.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I love the idea that a season of change is your God assignment. I did not understand that when I was younger either. But I also did not have the relationship with God that I have now. Thanks for another great book review.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Change has always been difficult for me, but as I grew in Christ, I realized that this is what life is all about. We’ve had many changes in the last few years. Suddenly I was tired and asked God if this could be our last move. He doesn’t leave us alone when we are sensitive to his will, and do our best to love people. He gives us another challenge, which is difficult as we age. At this time it even feels harder than any challenge ever. It’s sad our world wants to “dis” the older folks. If I’m mentally still there and can walk a few miles every day, God can use me!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’ve always had a hard time with change, and it is surprising, since we moved around 47 times throughout my childhood and growing up years. You would think I would view change as such a normal part of life, but all of those moves and those feelings of insecurity have served to make me abhor change and long for “sameness” and continuity even more than the average person, I would say. God is helping me here in my 50’s and teaching me that the words of my old boss were true, “Cheryl, the only thing consistent in this life is change.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There was SO much good to say about Gina’s book, and one unusual observation that has come to me since writing the review is that I really enjoyed her pacing. It was a very unhurried read with lots to chew on but it didn’t come at me like a hurricane.
      I need to work on this myself.

      Like

  7. This sounds like a valuable resource. We’ve had our seasons of change, as everyone has, often with several significant transitions piling up at once. I took great refuge in the truth you mentioned that God hasn’t changed. All of the points you shared are greatly helpful.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Oh I always have such a hard time with change… I react a lot with fear and anger as sort of a knee jerk reaction. I’m slowly getting better at accepting change with age but even so I struggle as I am definitely a huge creature of habit. Thanks for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. There is so much wisdom here. Change can be hard and losing our identity is difficult. I think God is calling us to a change and when we do, he will help us through. I know leaving my full time job left me isolated and unsure who I was supposed to be. It also gave me the opportunity to find myself.
    Thanks for sharing. #Pitstop

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Transition has a way of revealing our idols. When the thing we have “worshiped” is stripped away, suddenly we realize that there’s only One safe object for our heart’s affection.
      Blessings to you, Michele! (Unusual to find another with the same spelling!)

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Very timely post for me right now! Our family is going through a season of change right now, as my mother is suffering from Dementia and my father is caring for her 24/7. He is exhausted, but having a very hard time asking for or accepting help. God is good, no matter what we are facing, and I know that He will take care of us. Thanks! I found you on That Friday Linky (my post is right after yours).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, you ARE in a hard season. And with our aging parents, often we are not in the driver’s seat. praying right now for you, Sal, that you will have wisdom and discernment for what will likely be an extended period of transition and change.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Much the same happened to me when I moved here 23 years ago. Tough times!!! Prayer and hard work made it all work out and now I am glad for it. Thanks for linking up and have the best weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Sounds like a highly valuable read. I would have greatly benefited from Gina’s wisdom during some painful transitions over the decades–especially if I had known to pay attention to my desires. However, God did help me through every time, as I sought equilibrium amidst the turmoil. He taught me lessons in faith, perseverance, taking thoughts captive, and more. (Gina probably mentions these lessons in her book! I think they’re probably universal as we climb the rough trails of challenge.)

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Michele,
    Your post reminded me of the year of transition when I quit my job, gave birth to my first child, and two weeks later began a major move across the country. Not my best year. I don’t recommend combining so many life changes, but in hindsight I CAN see that it was an assignment by God. It was also a time of intense struggle that forced me to lean into the Lord in a way that was life-changing. God is good…no matter what, this is true.
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Michelle,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! I enjoyed this post as i am now experiencing a change in lifestyle, being newly retired,,, It is an adjustment and one that I am still getting used to..
    Hugs,
    Deb

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Such wise words from a woman who had been there, Michele. A move and new motherhood all within a week! I think most of us would be overwhelmed. Motherhood does force us to adopt different rhythms. Accepting that loss, I think, was the hardest thing for me. Thanks for speaking to all of us, because we all experience change.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. This is a great book, Michele! I know you know that. I’m in a season of change and I especially appreciate the point —> “Your season of change is an assignment from God.” That’s how I’m taking this. Embracing it as an assignment from God. Thank you for these reminders today.

    Pinned & tweeted.

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. How wonderful is it to know that despite all the changes that must surely come and go, God is always there. Thanks for sharing at Encouraging Hearts & Home.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. […] We had a good time this week cheering on our home team and watching them win the big game (Go Chiefs!) It makes me think about how I can make more of an effort to cheer on my own team – children, grandchildren, church family, homeschooling mamas – we all need a cheerleader to spur us on, don’t we? The posts you share in our Encouraging Hearts & Home party every week help fill that need and that makes me happy. The post with the most clicks last week was Change is Hard. God is Good. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
    Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Change can be tricky and scary especially if it is unexpected. Hope and trust can help to make it easier. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

    Liked by 1 person

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