Throughout life we experience various challenges in varying degrees – loss of a job, a pending divorce, an unexpected diagnosis, loss of a relationship, experiencing fear or disappointment, or loss of a friend or family member. Most of us defensively or passively react to change, letting it manage us. Some individuals welcome change and adapt easily, while others have to walk through and understand the change before they can move on in life. Our response to these challenges mold us into the person we are today. When you manage change from a spiritual experience, you recognize the need for change, become still with the issues, are present in the moment, tap deep into your spirit for direction, and let the process take its course. Yes, that’s a tall order.
All of life’s losses cause us to put life on hold while we react and readjust to reality. I tell individuals that no matter how much you want a divorce, it will hurt until you walk through the process and get on the other side; you can’t leap through the change process or make it quickly take place. Change is a process and as such, there is no magic wand, no easy way to avoid the elements, and no one approach works for everyone. There are, however, some common elements that when intertwined with our faith, produces a welcomed knowing that “all things work together for our good.”
When you encounter the need for change, it may be helpful to slow down and listen to your spirit trying to guide you. Recall the acorn that becomes a tree, the seed that becomes a flower, the caterpillar that becomes a butterfly, and the baby that grows into an adult. These processes are all designed to facilitate one’s growth and development to achieve God’s purpose. Our growth requires inner work, stillness, and faith in a grander vision.
The change process requires a beginning of fear, disappointment or loss. The middle of change is usually chaos and the unknown because we may be moving in a new direction. It is difficult to let go old habits and old ways of doing things in exchange for the unknown. Before you get to the end, it is critical to experience some quiet, introspective, spiritual time to digest the impending change. In the stillness, we become “ready” to make a shift. In the stillness, we are able to release the tension and open our hearts to the messages that our spirit is trying to give to us. Often, the message will move us forward as we listen for divine guidance. In the stillness, we can feel hope, courage, and anticipation of a more purposeful life. The stillness and our faith create the alignment needed to transform our fears, disappointments, and emotions into intentions.
When we walk through the change process as a spiritual experience and get on the other side, we can begin to take the small steps to feel better, let go of the past, and get in the flow of life. If you are going through a change or transformation, be still and call upon your faith remembering, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The spiritual experience of transformation is a gift to align you with the life that God has planned for you.