Is some pain good pain?  Or is all pain bad pain?

Most would agree that change brings pain.  The pain of letting go of habits, traditions and our expectations can create anxiety in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  Yes, there is pain in change but there is also great satisfaction in recognizing that progress is being achieved.  We will have to search through things and observe through the eyes, thoughts and foresight of those that we look to as our leaders to see the benefits that are awarded to us in change.

We need not feel that we must forever be what we presently are because we are changing.  Change comes to us all throughout our lives; from a newborn baby, throughout childhood, adolescents, and throughout adulthood we experience change.  As we consider the life of a newborn we wouldn’t expect a baby to remain the same without changing; we recognize changes as being good for an infant.  We recognize changes as we teach a child to walk, talk and to obey.

As a Christian we recognize that people of all ages begin their Christ-like life as a newborn Christian.  We fully understand that as a person grows through teaching, reading the word and practicing the principles in God’s word that these types of experiences are viewed as good changes.  They are good changes because they bring blessings, honor and wholeness to our lives. The blessings, honor and wholeness that are brought into our lives allow us to teach, train and exhort others bringing a good change to their lives.  God has instructed us in and through His word that Satan comes to kill, steal and to destroy the lives, the purposes, plans and pursuits of the people.  God says that as we trust him, follow his word, and obey his commands He will cause our enemies to be at peace with us.  He will cause what is meant for our harm to bring good.

In Genesis, we read the story of Joseph and how he was given a dream and his brothers were angry with him and attempted to destroy him.  I am sure along the way Joseph never realized that as his brothers sold him into slavery and the time he spent in prison that the changes that he went through would bring good.  Joseph kept looking to God, believing God, and living his life in God.  In Genesis 50:20 we find that as Joseph’s brothers learn that their brother had risen to power in Egypt they feared for their lives for all the wrong they had done to him; but Joseph loved his family and told them; “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive”.

The change that came to Joseph’s life, the good things and the bad things, was used to bring a wonderful work.  When we take into consideration and give careful thought we realize that change can produce the most rewarding and profound experiences in our lives.  Today as you consider the changes that you are going through in your life, consider the promise of God that He will cause what is meant for your harm to be changed to bring good.  When we look at the plans of God we do not get into despair.

At times you think that it is all over and that God does not show you mercy; ponder on the bigger picture of life, take a new look at your situation and know that God is taking care of you.  Consider the changes Thomas Edison made while inventing the light bulb.  Hundreds of times, he discovered new ways that the light bulb would not work, but he also discovered the way to create the light bulb to cause it to work.  He could have gotten discouraged and quit. He had hundreds of opportunities to give up and to decide that it would not work and that it was a waste of time to try; but, thank God, he did not quit; he created a change that makes a difference in our lives today.

Although change does not always feel good while it is happening and the lessons we learn in life seem to be destroying the hope we have on the inside, God says that He will not allow anything to come to you to destroy you.  He is watching over your life to give you the opportunity to live out your dream, to fulfill your vision, to give you a life that will bring blessings to you, allowing you the opportunity to bring salvation to many.

We find our security in life through God’s faithfulness.  We find security in His Word through His faithfulness to perform all that He promised.  Remember to continue with the changes in life so the work that He began in you He will also fulfill.  We learn through consistency and that is how we develop patterns.  Our Children are much like we are as they change and find their boundaries; they learn that consistency is developing their security, and much like our relationship with God that is how our children learn that we are true and find security knowing the truth that sets them free.

Can you make the world a better place?  You may not be able to make a rainbow in the sky, you may not be able to create a sunset, but you have that power within you to bless others through your words, deeds and smiles.

Have a Blessed Day

~~~Freddy~~~