“I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
Suddenly my world turned upside down. Suddenly I stepped out of a healthy active life into the world of chronic illness. Suddenly, periodic paralysis hijacked my body. Reading Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change,” was a balm for my aching soul. I prayed:
“Lord, I need to savor the words of your promise. God, over the past year so much of my life has changed; I desperately need the reminder today that you do not change. Amen.”
My health has changed…rare neuromuscular disease
My mood has changed …sometimes not so good
My abilities have changed…today I cannot lift a coffee mug
My income has changed…I have not worked in 8 months
My priorities have changed… rest and recovery are on my to do list
My posture has changed...my head droops and silent tears fall freely
Unlike me, God never changes. He never has an off day. His mood never fluctuates. He never wakes up on the grumpy side of the bed, because he never sleeps or slumbers (Psalm 121: 3-4). He does not have bad days, bad weeks, or hormonal changes.
God is always good, constantly kind, and loving. He is long-suffering towards His children and full of tender compassion. He brews a fresh batch of mercy every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
Because God never changes:
My praise has changed…I substitute worship for worry.
My perspective has changed…I pray, “Lord, bless my perspective.”
My identity has changed…God showed me I have been following the idol of self-sufficiency. Now I trust fully in not my ability, but His Sovereignty.
My security has changed…God led me here, and He will lead me out.
My trust has changed…I trust in the Lord with all my heart, trying not to figure it out on my own.
My ability to rest has changed…It is still a daily battle, but rest is a necessary part of this season.
My assignment has changed… Each day I ask, God want do you want me to do today?
My faith has changed…In my battle of this new chronic illness named Periodic Paralysis, I have witness God’s chronic presence in my life.
While my attacks are episodic and periodic, God remains unchanging in His chronic compassion towards me, and it is well with my soul.
Friend, has your world turned upside down? Has there been a recent change in your life? Take comfort today that while our circumstances may change we can cling to the promise God issued in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord, do not change.”
~April Dawn White
*All Scripture is NIV from Bible Gateway. *Images courtesy of Pixabay.
© 2016 April Dawn White, All rights reserved