I have always loved Thanksgiving for many reasons, but one reason is because it signals the beginning of the Christmas season. As lovers of all things Christmas, my family has always put up our Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. However, one year when I was around 10 years old my Mom and Grandma decided to get a jump-start on putting the tree up when us kids weren’t around. Although this may seem inconsequential, the minute I walked into the living room I was overwhelmed with a plethora of emotions. 

I immediately started crying intensely and speaking incoherently. What caused such commotion you may ask: simply change. You see, up to this point we had always put the Christmas tree in the same spot every year, but this particular year my Mom decided to change everything up. She moved our living room furniture all around and put our Christmas tree in a new spot. This was such a small thing but at the time this change was the cause of so much chaos within me.

Now I just laugh at my 10-year-old self. In the end, I loved the new spot for our Christmas tree and it could have honestly been better than our original spot. However, in that moment I had no perspective. I allowed, “how it’s always been” to be the measure of what is good and what is not. I had no idea that what was ahead could be even better than what I was holding on to. 

Although this is just a silly story, I have found that even now I can all too easily fall into the same trap.

I have experienced firsthand how difficult it is to let go and move forward, often times only knowing the destination but not all of the changes and trials that will happen on the journey.

For me, change has been a constant recently as I have made the permanent move to Arizona and started a new job. These are big changes for me personally, but I know we are all struggling with change whether that is a new job, a change with school, a new relationship or absence thereof, or even the changes that have come with the upheaval that is going on in our world right now. 

Because of these changes, more and more I have been asking myself: why do I feel this way so frequently? Why does even the smallest change often leave me spiraling in anxiety and stress?

I only began to understand why I often feel this way after talking to my Dad and what I came to realize really surprised and humbled me. 

Here is what I have come to realize, although I have a personal relationship with God, I can find my attention and time drifting away from God and to other things. Honestly, for me this often happens when I give work and other people my focus over my relationship with God. 

When I lose sight of God I begin to forget His goodness, His love, His sovereignty. As a result, when change comes I get caught in the storm of anxiety and stress that endlessly tosses me from one direction to another bringing up old wounds. I forget all the things that God has brought me through before and failed to trust that He will do it again!

So each morning I have been striving to wake up and spend my personal time with God a little differently than before; I start my day in the Bible reminding myself of God’s character and the truth that He is trustworthy. I can trust that whatever change or trial I will face I will be able to make it through because He is with me. He is the one in control and He loves me more than I can imagine. 

So, when we go through small or big changes at home, work, or in our personal life, we must remember that God loves us more than anything and that He wants the best for us. It is imperative that we understand that God has unlimited power and He is completely in control. He is never up in Heaven wringing His hands and hoping things work out ok. 

Hear me out, this doesn’t mean we won’t go through change and hardship. We will experience these things but God promises that we will not go through them alone and it will never be fruitless. Every change and hardship God will work for good. 

Also, despite what we may want, when we trust God anxiety and fear don’t just magically disappear. However once you have a relationship with God, where you know His character and you trust Him completely, you will know who to go to when you are lost and paralyzed in the face of change. God can give you peace that you will make it through to the other side.

God ultimately is the only true source of peace, and in a time where change is so prevalent in my own personal life and in the whole world; more than ever, I know I need the One who calms the storm, brings healing to those in need, and justice to those forgotten. Don’t you want that too?

If so, ask God to reach in and save you from the storm within, from all of your fears and failures. Then take the time to really know and connect with God on a personal level, to a level where you have confidence that you can face whatever lies ahead because God is near. 

Whatever steps you need to take, let today be a new beginning!

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Storm Within
 
Lost in the sea of endless thunder
as flashes of words take me under
memories pour and wet my face
fighting the elements in this place.
 
Stuck in the storm of restless stressors
can’t escape this heightened pressure
thrown and tossed up in the air
riding the emotions stripped and bare.
 
Driving hard against the wind
not accepting how it’s always been
finally allowing help to reach in
and save me from the storm within.

-Written August 9, 2020 by Chérie Wilson

(Scroll on poem to reveal full lines!)

-Photo by Gabi Lebron