Change invites choice. You can choose to view change as a pain or as a gain. You can choose to focus your mind and heart on what causes the change or Who gets you through it. You can choose the lie about change (you are vulnerable) or choose the truth (you can be victorious.) And…
Stress is your body’s response to change. Yet the term “stress” conjures us all kinds of negative images of danger, calamity, conflicts, and difficult situations – hence the term, “distress.” But stress can also be positive: a wedding, a new job, a thrill of discovery, a vacation trip – even Christmas. Positive stress, also called…
Some of life’s transitions are like chapters in a book: they are clearly marked. When one comes to an end, the next follows naturally, such as a move from one community to another, a wedding day, or a retirement ceremony. Other transitions are harder for us to recognize. They present themselves more subtly, often over…
Transitions in life are inevitable: a new home, a different school, various jobs. But even when change is a good thing, its uncertainty can fill us with questions: What will happen? How will I manage? Will I be safe and cared for? Did I make the right decision? The story of the Exodus explains how…
Distress. Just the word brings anxiety and pressure to mind. You can feel the strain from exhaustion or anguish that penetrates your soul when you’re distressed, worn out, and pulled in different directions. Change and Distress “Stress” and “distress” are not the same, even though the terms are often used interchangeably. Stress is your response…
Ashley peered through the windshield at the detour signs. The new route took her off the interstate. I could get frustrated … or I could enjoy this, Ashley thought. The picturesque drive wound through the rolling countryside and deposited her back on the highway, adding just a few minutes to her normal drive. Ashley smiled.…
Transformation: One of a 3-Part “-ATION” Series 80% of church growth comes from transfers, not conversions. In other words, large numbers of people are not experiencing transformation. They simply change locations. Leaders say they want true transformation for their people. It’s easy to spot because it has a lasting impact. Yet leaders wonder why true…