[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Take hold of the plumbline immediately

[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Navigating life’s transitions

By Oke Chinye

Read: Philippians 4:12-13

Meditation verse:

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all  things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to  suffer need” (Philippians 4:12).

Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to  another. Nature abhors vacuum because life is a lively process of becoming.  Change is therefore one thing you should expect if you are alive. So, in life, we  are always going through one transition or the other. Some major transitions  that can upset the natural course of our lives include sudden loss of a job, end  of a relationship; a divorce, the sudden yawning of an empty nest as the children  all leave home, a terminal ailment, untimely death of a loved one, relocating to  a new place or retirement from work and feeling lost.

Sometimes even when there are no visible changes, we may experience a “psychological impasse”, which is a deadlock or feeling of uncertainty, which  brings with it the sense of being stuck or paralyzed or locked in a box. You can’t  put your finger to what the problem is, but you know something is wrong. You  feel restless, deflated or not up to anything much. Whether predictable or not,  and irrespective of how painful or difficult or uncomfortable transition periods  are, they present a new beginning and offer a good place from where you can  define a new vision for your life.

If you are currently in a life transition, pause to process what occurred or is  occurring. Don’t leave in self-denial, wishing the situation will disappear. If it is  a loss, acknowledge it and feel the pain. Because the pain is usually a  springboard from which your healing will emerge. Take as much time as you  need but don’t remain stuck here. Make an informed assessment of the extent  of the change or transition and how it affects your life. Do a SWOT analysis. Note  the negatives, positives, opportunities that the situation presents as well as the  threats. Ask what is the worst-case scenario?

Staying in God’s presence will provide you with the guidance and strength required to move forward to the next phase of life. “And He said to me, “My  grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2  Corinthians 12:9).

 

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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