Yesterday we talked about the uncertainty of change and the way it rattles our cages at times and often brings about stress. We also introduced the concept that change is one of those good things that helps us grow and develop as individuals. Change requires that we execute the faith we embraced when we made a choice to follow Christ. Today, I want us to consider some of the things that have and may often occur during the change process and how that can mature and develop you as an individual as well as deepening your faith.

On March 24^th, I shared some information with you about pain, suffering and stress. The Greek word thlipsis which is often translated pain or suffering means stress. The word could be used to describe what we feel when change is introduced into our life – real honest to goodness discomfort. It’s that feeling of uncertainty that makes us worry and wonder what the heck is going to happen, how we are going to cope or if we are ever going to get through this problem. It’s the distractor that is used to keep us from executing our faith. So conceptually, there cannot be a maturity in faith without facing and dealing with the pain or stress induced by change.

I would like to take you back to a few historical events to illustrate that the pain or stress that we often feel during life changes may not be as bad as some of the ones the Hebrews and Christians of yesteryear had to deal with.

1. Let’s consider the Hebrews that Moses rescued. Years and years of abuse under Pharaoh had to be endured. I imagine most of the people who built the structures and cities wondered if they would even come home in the evenings, due to how a taskmaster felt that day. The fear of change and the daily unknown was ever present.
2. The Israelites of the norther 10 tribes also experienced the pain and suffering of change when they were carried off by Sennacharib, many with hooks in their mouths, in 721BC because of their lifestyles and refusal to focus on the truth.
3. About 581BC the Jews were carried off by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon for the same reasons as their northern neighbors. Then a few decades later, those who were left were also carried off for failing to submit to the change God ordered for them.
4. In the late 60’sAD Roman persecution dispersed the Jews again – inducing more change, stress and pain. But this change was NOT aimed purely as punishment for Christ’s crucifixion – it was aimed at dispersing and spreading the Christianity founded in Jerusalem with Christ’s life, death, burial and resurrection. Reading about the disciple’s uncertainty, pain and stress tells us this was very real and very challenging.

However, the change induced was for their good. God had plans to ensure that the eternal hope secured through Christ’s sacrifice would be spread throughout the world by the best systems of roads and communication known to man at that time. Yes, the Romans and their cruelty had a purpose. That purpose was to deepen believer’s faith and provide a means to share that faith with the rest of the world. Painful, but purposeful. Tomorrow, I will share with you how this concept translates to us today.

Love Dad