Embracing Hope in the Middle of Change...

For many of you, saying, "Good-bye," is becoming all too familiar. It may be the literal good-byes to our children who are growing up and leaving the nest or marrying and leaving home for good, to establish their own homes.

For others, it may be a permanent good-bye to a partner or even a child, in death--grown or not. Others have had to say good-bye to a spouse in divorce. It was often unexpected and unwanted. Still others have said good-bye to their life-long home with all of its memories and had to wade through all your things, getting rid of many treasured possessions, usually under time pressure to get the place sold/move/health reasons, that made it even more stressful.

Some of you moved away from your home town in retirement to be near one or more of your kids or be in a pretty area for your retirement years. I think I have hit on many of the good-byes. You may have experienced another type of good-bye.

No matter how happy parts of the good-byes are, there are still painful aspects to them. We will be separated from friends and/or family that we love. We won't see them on a regular basis for a time. Maybe for a very long time. There is a lot of sadness involved as well.

Embracing hope in the middle of Change and Good-byes Photo: Canva

Will my Life ever be Normal Again after this Change?

As you settle in after the change you may or may not have wanted, you wonder if your life will ever be the same again. If it was a change you didn't want, you wonder if you will ever be happy again. If it was a change you wanted, you wonder if your hopes regarding the new change will be as wonderful as you dreamed.

The hard changes will take awhile to adjust to. There is no question about it. Give yourself time. Surprisingly, the happy changes can be just as stressful so give yourself time to adjust to them too. If moving your home is involved, add even more time. There is a stress indicator and it is surprising how many stress points can add up when you move or lose people who you are close to in your life. Take a look at this stress test to give yourself an idea of how to care for yourself during times when you are accruing lot of stress points in your life. When the points get over a certain level, you are at a high risk for illness. Here is the link to one simple test.

Physical Activity is a Major Stress Reliever

There are many simple stress relievers. Physical Activity is a major one. The simplist? Walking regularly. Get in the habit of regularly walking fast enough that your heart gets beating fast. Yes, you can go to exercise classes, play golf, swim, etc. But walking is great exercise, is good for you, and free. If you have people to do it with, so much the better.

Social Interaction is another. Don't stay uninvolved with people.

Having people to socialize with is also a great de-stressor. You don't have to go to splashy events unless that is something you enjoy doing. Just find people you enjoy being with that are interesting. Maybe you do similar things together, eat together, have a book club, or are in church together serving others, have a nerdy hobby... The important thing is that you don't feel you have to be fake around them. Groups that serve, grow, learn, together are all fun and benefit those who are in them when they participate together.

Worship weekly if possible. Don't just stop in, but get involved in the Church you attend.

Worship, which often involves being involved in a church. It's a great way to meet people as well as find people you can work with to serve others. But often the ones you are learning with may be in a different group than the ones you are serving with. It's not always the case of course, but it might be.

Right now, I'm doing most of my serving in the retirement community where I live because my husband is not well and can't get out much. Sometimes, I have even needed to receive help. I'm not as comfortable being on that end of the stick after all the years of giving it. But as I get weaker, I'm learning to accept help and even ask for it. Yes, it is humbling, but it is good for me to be humbled.

Personal Spiritual Growth-Reading Bible and Prayer Daily

Spiritual Growth, which I'm including as more of the personal growth part of Christian growth. It also includes things like Bible studies, Sunday School classes, etc. A good church will enhance spiritual growth, helping us not just to focus on ourselves, but on the needs of people around us too.

What is hope during times of Change?

Once again, Biblical hope is confident assurance based on the Person and promises of God.

The way it impacts our devotional time is this: As you read God's Word, look for What it says about what is God like? including What is Jesus like? What is the Holy Spirit like? They are all linked together.

What are the promises we see in the Bible?

Knowing the promises and who is making them, go hand in hand.

• Can He keep the promises He is making?

• Does He have the power to do it?

• Does He have the integrity to do it?

• Is He good or evil?

• There are so many questions about who He is that are clearly stated in the Bible. There are many that we misunderstand. There are others that we wishfully think are so, but may not be. For example, is He a big Santa Claus who overlooks our flaws and says, "There, there, you're only human." (No He doesn't. That's why He had to die on the cross.)

From God's Word:

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.  Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;   you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you. I have been as a portent to many,     but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise,     and with your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age;     forsake me not when my strength is spent.  For my enemies speak concerning me;    those who watch for my life consult together  and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him,     for there is none to deliver him.” O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!  May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;     with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.  But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,  of your deeds of salvation all the day,  for their number is past my knowledge.

Psalm 71:5-15 ESV