Tag: #Godchangesus

Change is Necessary

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

Are you resistant to change? Be careful how fast you answer. Another question would be, if your world as you know it changed, how would you respond?

Let’s take a look at the Israelites…

The Israelites were God’s chosen people. They became in bondage to a tyrant Pharoah king.

“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happens, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land” (Exodus 1:8-10).

They were in bondage to this tyrant king. They were in bondage like many of us are in bondage to our past, relationships, addictions, people, jobs, grief, etc. God decided that they needed to be delivered or that it was time for a change for His chosen people.

“The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

This conversation between Moses and God is a similar conversation that God has with us when it’s time for a change. God is about change. Though God does not change, He is a God that is always working to change and mature us (Galatians 2:20). It is a work He will continue until it is complete (Philippians 1:6). This is the reason Jesus did not stay in the tomb but rose with all power.

Jesus is the sacrifice that changed everything. God gives us an opportunity to change, grow, and evolve. We often decline the offer because we are not ready or are not open to change.

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:13-15). 

The Israelites were being delivered, but fear set in and they felt like going forward would be impossible. God told Moses to go forward instead of listening to the Israelites’ fear. Moses let them know God is with you. They were facing the army of the Egyptians and the Red Sea.

I am not sure what I would have done. I know that I have faced challenges and obstacles that evoked fear to move on. God is with us when it is time for us to change. He needs us to move into a new phase in our life. No matter how hard it may seem to set a new path, set the new path anyway.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

Our bodies are the vessels we live this life in. Given to us and created by God. We are to live in these vessels holy and sold out for Christ. This seems easily written or said, but we all know it is hard. Many of us are plagued by all forms of abuse and other trials. Our bodies should be a reflection of God. The mind is to be renewed. The mind is the source of how we act and have our being in these bodies or temples. If we are not open to change and a renewed mind we will not live out our purpose.

We must begin to change the way we see ourselves and past hurt. We do this so that we are not aimlessly living with no purpose. It is essential to change and live a life that glories God. Though the world is turning away from the natural order of things. We must choose that the change we want to make is one that glorifies God.

I thought years ago, I would never make it through all the challenges I was facing. I thought my mental health issues were too great to master. They still give me quite a challenge. Though this is true every day I change a little at a time.

I try to remember to embrace change. The older we get the more centered and stuck in our ways we become. Change will always be necessary. You decide whether you are open to it or not.

The Israelites were facing the Egyptians behind them and the Red Sea in front of them. They chose to tackle the Red Sea and never look back. What is in front of you that you want to run from?

It’s time to tackle your Red Sea. Change is necessary.

Live to Heal from Brokenness

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

The brokenness some of us feel from the tragedies of life can feel like an elephant sitting on our chest. We can find ourselves wondering if we will ever heal. Healing is not something that happens overnight. It takes years of working to be free from so many broken areas.

Some people believe they will just snap out of the hurt. The reality is that it takes time. It can take years to fully heal. You really have to work on yourself. One part of the healing process is recognizing that there are areas of brokenness in your life.

Brokenness is not a bad thing or something to be ashamed of. We all get broken by life. We all have been broken in some area or another. Some of us live our lives not healing. We are often are so broken that we self-sabotage the things in our lives that matter.

We may hurt the very people that want to love us. We also can be in survival mode all the time. Sometimes we have walls built up around us and live in fear of being hurt again.

You can begin your healing process in therapy. Counseling is one way to uncover the areas that need healing. Finding the right therapist can be a challenge but once you have found your match it can be a blessing.

Healing with people who have had similar experiences is also healthy. You can find these groups in your community.

If you have had issues with domestic violence, for example, you can reach out to a local agency and see if they offer a support group. Sometimes healing can be easier when you realize you are not alone in your hurt.

It is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Some of us can find support groups in our local church. I always believe the church is a spiritual hospital and often helps a lot of us get through life.

When you are hurt and need to heal, try not to make decisions based on brokenness. We have all done it. I have not arrived but I strive to be better one day at a time.

Healing from brokenness is not an easy feat. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to heal and not remain stuck. As life takes its course we can easily find ourselves broken and struggling to heal. No one is exempt from these struggles. Over time healing does happen.

You need a safe space to heal. You need people in your life that do not continue to keep you bound. Freedom is found in God. No matter what Jesus’ Resurrection is liberty and freedom from anything we face. Brokenness does not have to remain a constant reminder of the pain we felt from being hurt.

Live to heal, one day and step at a time.

God Is Able

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

God prevails when we give the troubles of this world to Him. It is hard to master. We all want to control more than we actually are capable of. The hardest part in hard times is letting go and letting God do His best work.

God understands that in life there are losses no matter how hard we try to perfect our lives. There are no troubles too hard for God though in our limited abilities we may feel crushed.

I learned recently that being still and letting God work is best at times. We often make a mess of things when we try to do it our way. Being disobedient to God can bring negative consequences.

“Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)”. In this scripture God is saying He is able. He illustrates for us to trust Him. He wants us to be still and allow God to work in our lives. Being still can mean doing nothing even in troubling times. When we give things to God we have to leave it there.

The scripture goes on to say that God will be exalted above the heathen and in the Earth. God is higher than any of the troubles we face. There is nothing God can’t help us overcome.

Our God is able to move mountains out of our lives. Keep pressing there is greater on the other side.

Life Hurts Sometimes

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

The troubles of life hurt

The decisions we make don’t always work

Depending on God is the source of our strength

When life seems unbearable pull from God’s fortress

Life hurts sometimes

No matter what life brings press through the rain

Work with God to get through the pain

The etched memory of our past hurts but trouble doesn’t last

Our eternal resting place is worth more than issues of our past

No matter what with God all things are possible to work

Even though life hurts

Press Toward the Higher Mark

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

We often pray for better and wish for better, but our pressing should include a strong foundation in a relationship with God. We should also be concerned about our eternal resting place. It is important to know that there is a place far greater than the troubles we face day to day.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward and to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14)”.

Paul teaches us that as anointed as he was, he had not arrived. Though Paul had not arrived he kept on pressing. Paul endured a lot. Before his encounter with God he persecuted Christians. He also went on a journey during his encounter with God on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9) These things did not stop Him from striving to do what God called him to do. He was preparing to be with God eternally.

Pressing higher and seeking God’s purpose can be hard. God orders our steps when we seek Him and allow Him to work in our lives. There is more to life than what we want. What God wants for us is more important.

Life throws many curves and road blocks. It can feel like we will never reach what we know God has called us to. We can began to feel we are too broken to do what God is asking of us. When we look at Paul we are looking at an anointed man who faced many moments of brokenness and hardships. Eventhough this is true he continued to teach and write God’s word for who he was called to.

Pressing through life is a challenge for all of us. Life does not stop for anyone. No matter how much money you have or how spiritual you might be hard times will come. As things happen to us we can begin to feel like pressing through life is worthless.

Paul did not allow his past or his current situation to determine his walk with God. No matter what we go through we must keep our eyes on God. Paul was not saying pressing was easy. He was saying he pressed no matter the circumstances.

No matter the struggle press toward the higher mark God is calling you to. God has greater on the other side.

A Foundation in Christ through a Change by God

Published on by Shakera Williams, Author, BloggerLeave a comment

Change is defined as the act or instance of making or becoming different (Merriam-Webster, 2023). When we accept Christ into our lives there should be a change.

It may not be instant but there should be evidence of a shift in our spiritual walk. We all know that change is complex. There are times when we fall back into old ways, the enemy wants to condemn us for. The truth is the strength to change comes from the holy spirit within us.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2).

In this scripture conform means to be in harmony or accord so we are not to be in agreement with all that the world does. We should in contrast be conforming and living in harmony with what God’s will is for us. There should be a shift in the way we view our old habits and ways of life. They may be our origin but a new way of living should be found. We find this in God’s word, godly counsel, and a true relationship with God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Many believe that what this scripture illustrates is a change that is deliberate and there is no compromise in the change. Though it reads that way we know that change is a process. The Holy Spirit will be doing it in us until God takes us home. There is no perfect change.

The reality is that change is happening each day as we live. God works in us to perform the change. Day by day the old is refined and gradually it passes away. We begin to see the difference, look back, and realize how far we have come.

 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16).

In God’s word we find the inspiration to be changed or to live in harmony by the Holy Spirit that lives in us once we become saved. We are chosen by God. It is not by our will that we come into relationship with God (Romans 8:29). God’s word is designed to cause a conviction not condemnation. It helps us to stay on the narrow path and to grow spiritually.

The foundation of the change from our old nature or ways is God. We die to sin daily and are continually being refined as believers. Remember no one has arrived and when we become saved each person’s journey is different. We are also all at different places.

As we embrace God this year remember the change is constant.