Trusting God In The Midst Of Change

I enjoy the internet. But like everyone, there are times when it frustrates me. It is one of the most enabling inventions ever. It has never been so easy to access research, relationships, and retail. But there are times when things don't work properly. It is so frustrating when it takes too long to check your bank account, buy a car, send some pictures to a family member, and finish that TV episode you missed... all at the same time. How many times have these words left your mouth, "C'mon... What is going on? Why is Facebook so slow today? This is as bad as dial-up." 

We are easily frustrated. But one thing has changed in my life. I don't get too upset with the glitches anymore, unless it is imperative that I get something important done now. But I don't freak out when my profile isn't loading properly. Why? Because I understand some things about FB. They want to succeed. They care about the experience of their members because they need members. So, when things are slow, or outright glitchy, I just figure they are working on things, or upgrading the site to make it more useful. It is like when the transportation department improves the roads while traffic is still active. Are there inconveniences that go with that? Yep. Is it frustrating? You bet. Does getting upset make the glitches go away? No. Will we be satisfied with the ultimate product? Some will, and others will not. But knowing there is an end goal helps me accept the present trouble.

Sometimes Facebook announces changes they will be making. Then there are times when they change things up without warning us. You can often tell when there is a change coming. Things get a little glitchy. In those times, people posting things like, "Is anyone else having trouble with FB today?" Within a day or two, I notice new helpful features on my FB page. Sometimes they are controversial or even downright scary. I am sure there are people who leave because they don't like or trust the changes. But, before you know it, everyone is clicking the new LIKE button.

Change is difficult. We like to stay in our comfort zone. The unknown can be scary. But change is normal and necessary, even if painful. All change is not good, but sometimes we make an enemy out of the process. God is busy bringing change to our lives. Sometimes He specifically tells us what changes are coming. We don't always like what we hear. We don't want God to rearrange our profile. We are comfortable with the way things are in our lives... even if we aren't satisfied. Sometimes we resort to bargaining with God, arguing with, or even threatening Him. We may even form a group of friends to protest the hard thing that God is about to do. Not a good plan. 

Most of the time God brings change into your life without giving you a heads-up. But you will know that God is working, because life will get messy... glitchy, if you will. It is probably good that God does not always tell you what He is about to do in our lives. Frankly, you wouldn't be able to handle the information. Foreknowledge like that would likely crush you, or scare you off. So God adds features, or moves things around, or removes things in your life. Again, in this scenario, people react differently. Mostly people get frustrated because they equate glitches with trouble rather than transformation. Try not to see life glitches as evidence that you are cursed, but as indicators that God is doing something positive in your life.

We must believe that God is not only worthy, but also trustworthy. Job, who went through more change than most of us will ever experience said, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.Praise the name of Yahweh.” (Job 1:21) You may not see the changes immediately. But God never works without a purpose. And His purpose is always good for His children.

No, I don't trust everything FB does. Sometimes it is just messed up. But I know this about God, "He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

Now, back to see if that YouTube video is done buffering.. GRRRRR!

Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry.

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