Real Change in the Face of Adversity.

I've done a lot of thinking, studying and watching folks who know more about this subject than me and have determined that REAL change, even in the face of adversity can be achieved. Change is inevitable. So, why then would it "not happen" just because we might be going through difficulties in life? The problem with us regular folk is this...we FEEL that "change" needs to be put on hold JUST because we might be embroiled in whatever battle of the week we're facing. LIFE doesn't stop and wait for us to get through the "icky" parts. In fact, it's when we're in the most difficult or hurtful situations that life seems to race by us and we don't know up from down.
In my last post, I discussed intentions. I will bring that into this post as well. We are HERE on this earth to change, to grow, to learn and to overcome obstacles in life. I was watching Joyce Meyer...who has seen her share of adversity...and she's a tough gal. She's certainly a straight shooter. The thing I admire most about Joyce Meyer is that she will speak to us from her OWN life experiences. She even tells some things that I go "WHOA! I'm not sure I could tell that!" But Joyce does! She's a great example of leading by example.
"Adversity" can be a varied and complex word. Depending on who you're talking to, the meaning can be worlds apart.
I know that even in the deepest, darkest, most alone moments, if I step off the pity pot for just a few minutes, GOD makes sure there's a ray of sunshine that appears when I least expect it. So, why then do we fight it? With what I just stated from my own life, would it not make sense for me to say, "OK GOD. I'M ALL YOURS." I GIVE UP. I WILL NOT FIGHT, I WILL NOT TRY TO CREATE MY OWN STRATEGY. I WILL JUST HAND IT ON OVER TO YOU AND LET YOU HAVE FULL CONTROL." Have I done that completely? Nope. I WANT to. But then there are little whispers that say, "But if you do that, you'll lose CONTROL over your own life. If you do that you won't know what's going to happen! HOW can you plan anything if you don't know what's coming?" Those whispers are NOT of God. Fear is NOT of God...but TRUST is.
Being able to totally let go and allow God to "manage" us is a mighty tall order. I'm the first one to say that I have failed miserably at that. I know God knows my heart and sees my struggle to simply let go...and I do ask for the strength to do so.
It's kind of like the feeling you had as a kid the FIRST TIME you jumped off the HIGH diving board. You knew what to expect on the pool slide and the LOW dive, but that HIGH DIVE was another matter completely. Stepping out of predictability is probably one of the most difficult steps as humans we can take.
So, one of my (many) goals is to step into TRUST. I need to stop being a hypocrite and allow God to parent me as HE sees fit. When I really consider that, HOW on earth could things go wrong? I will have wasted a lot of time in my life with worry, strife, upset and knowing there is not one EARTHLY thing I can do about it...but when I take that step off the high dive and into the trust and power of a Love greater than we can know on this earth, therein lies comfort, peace and acceptance of "the unknown." At that point, it's all "okay." GOD is in control and He does not fail us...EVER (even when those little whispers might tell us that He has!). That is called TRUE RELEASE. There is a feeling of peace that comes over me as I type that. It's instant stress relief. God doesn't want us to struggle and fight our situations. He simply wants us to trust Him enough to allow Him to handle things for us. He promises us by releasing our fears and problems to Him, the reward will be more than we can imagine.
So, change in the midst of adversity is indeed probable, possible and WAITING...with just one step. Trust that God's will can get us out of all the messes we make of our lives in ways we could never dream possible...and HE WILL! God tells us "Be not afraid, only BELIEVE." It sounds so simple, but God also knows He's working a tough crowd, so He waits as we make our choices.
I'm also pondering forgiveness right now, but I'll save that topic for another post. We've covered INTENTION and ATTITUDE and today I've discussed CHANGE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY.
My dad says often, "FEAR: Future Events Aren't Real." I'm going to stop playing "WeatherAnne". I can't predict the weather any more than I can predict what will happen tomorrow, but I can PRAY and I can just hand my life over to the One to CAN take care of all the adversities that might surround me. It can happen for you too! What a cool thought.
"GIVING OVER IS NOT GIVING UP."-Anne Haley
Till next time,
Annie

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