7 Questions to Ask When Life Takes a Turn
This week I was talking with my friend, Susan, who recently made a great number of life changes at the same time. Her husband sold the family business he spent a lifetime building to start a new life chapter together. They moved to a different state to buy property so they could begin something they dreamed of for years, a retreat center where they would hold conferences and seminars for those needing to get away and regain a new perspective on their lives. To start over, they moved to town with an affordable cost of living and where they knew no one.
As you move from renewal (leaving the past behind) to re-energizing (fresh starts and new beginnings), there are 7 questions you need to ask yourself in your new quest for God’s will and direction:
1. Do I believe God’s plan for my life continues from the cradle to the grave? As long as I am breathing do I know God isn’t finished with me yet. Do I believe He has good things in store for each new day of my life?
God’s Promise for Reflection: “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]” (Ephesians 2:10 Amp).
2. Am I equipped for this next stage and season in life? Do I have what it takes to fulfil God’s purposes right here, right now?
God’s Promise for Reflection: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]” (Romans 11:29 Amp).
3. What can I do to be better prepared for this moment? As I wait on the Lord for clarity to move forward, how do I spend my time?
God’s Promise for Refection: “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks,
So my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God. My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1 Amp).
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isa. 55:6 NIV).
4. When I feel insecure and frightened, how do I find comfort and quench these feelings?
God’s Promise for Reflection: “Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become restless and disturbed within me?
Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence…Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song will be with me, A prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:5,8).
5. What do I focus on to remove the fears of the unknown that attempt to undermine my faith and hope?
God’s Promise for Reflection: “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. We love, because He first loved us” (I John 4:18-19 Amp).
6. As I reject fear, what can I do to prepare myself for the future God holds for me?
God’s Promise for Reflection: “I remember your sincere and unqualified faith [the surrendering of your entire self to God in Christ with confident trust in His power, wisdom and goodness, a faith]… That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment]” (II Tim. 1:5-6 Amp).
7. What can I remind myself and act on as I step into this new future?
God’s Promise for Reflection: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control] (II Tim. 1:7 Amp).
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you” (Deut. 31:6).
“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7 Amp).
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9 Amp)
“Be strong and courageous, and take action; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor abandon you [but will guide you in the construction] until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (I Chron. 28:20 Amp)
“Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men (and women) and be courageous; be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13 Amp)
As you face fresh starts and new beginnings, write and tell us your story. We want to pray for you! Contact me at linda@yourrefreshedlife.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
