Let Go and Embrace Change!

Every year about this time, I start thinking about what my theme word will be for next year. Then, in December, I will take the last 2 weeks and reflect, review and clean up whatever I need to in order to keep things rolling in the direction I desire. This year has definitely been a year of high-impact change. (many changes in the shortest amount of time) Thank God there remained a few folks that stayed along with me for this bumpy ride that now seems to be leveling out! Coming out on the other side of massive changes in my life this year has been a really wonderful, exciting and sometimes downright terrifying experience. I've learned to love change though through many transitions – lost, death of a love one, breakups to make-ups, illness, course correction and change, to name a few. I've learned to surrender and be in the moment, listen to God in our conversations and be okay " with learning how to be content in whatever state I’m in.Oh, yes, these times they are a changin'! Change is all around us and within us. It's so exciting! And yet, though frightening,It’s all good! Everything seems to be changing.... Our government, our economy, our careers, our residence, our relationships, our selves. What do you do? How do you manage it all? Let go of the old and allow for the new. The old what?? The old that no longer serves you. Old jobs, relationships, friendships, material things, mindsets, beliefs and perceptions. There is so much new awaiting you! So much new to create and embrace. But you have to let go of the old to allow for the new. During this season, You must Let Go… and Let God! Some of these things are happening in your life anyway and without your permission and regardless of your prayers. Many are losing jobs and/ or homes, intimate relationships are ending, friendships are dissolving. It can be very stressful yet believe it or not, it's all for your good. How do you know what is "old"? If something is causing you stress, anxiety or fear, you’re driven to try to hold on even though it is not working anymore, chances are that it reflects the old way of doing things. The cloud has moved!! But, If something generates feelings of peace, love and movement, it represents the new. We are in new era now, so we are no longer aligned with the old. Everything is new and that means that it can be exactly the way you want it to be. For you shall decree a thing and it shall be so! Let the old things go. Just let it go and allow for the new. The new that awaits you is truly all that you want it to be. It is your creation, rooted in your truth, your creativity and your choice. Imagine a life exactly as you want it. One that includes fulfilling and meaningful work. Financial freedom and prosperity from using your gifts and talents. Relationships founded in love, respect and caring for self and others. Residing in a community that truly supports each other. Having a balanced life. Just imagine this and more! It is available to you. It is at your fingertips. You just have to let go of the old so that the new can arrive. You couldn’t stop change if you tried. So why fight the inevitable…. Let Go of the Old and allow the New…… let Go and let God! Let go of patterns in relationships that are unhealthy and don't support what you truly desire. Release yourself from the belief that everything has to happen in a certain way or it won't happen. Don't be attached to what it looks like. The more we hang onto how something is "supposed" to look like or how something is "supposed" to happen, the less we are open to the new ways things can look or happen. The tighter the grip on the old, the more we resist the new. If you are feeling stresses, anxious and fearful, chances are you are gripping the old. Recognize this so that you can begin a welcoming of the new. Releasing attachments to the old will open you up to opportunities you never imagined. Exciting opportunities and perfect solutions you never dreamed of. So why are we so afraid of change - even positive change? Here are some thoughts: 1. We don't know for certain what the endpoint or end-game will be. When new territory is crossed, we can only go one step at a time. Many people find that very unsettling - not knowing their destination. Yet step by step is the ONLY way to make progress. That’s how God teaches us to trust in Him and lean not to our own understanding. 2. Paralysis from fear. Trying to peek into the future with certainty is a clear formula for anxiety, fear, worry, frustration and failure. No one is certain of the future. The bible says that even Prophets Prophecy in part. Tomorrow is not promised and sufficient should be today. For tomorrow may not come. I mean, you don't go to bed every night terrified that the sun won't come up tomorrow, do you? Probably not. Yet, there is still is no guarantee. And for that reason some will subconsciously reject change, because the now to them is all that matters, They live in the NOW, Not realizing that they are somewhere in the future and they look much better than they do right now! 3. We think it's going to hurt. Making positive change in your life is the only way to ensure success and happiness. If you don't make that change, you will be stuck in an unfulfilling, purposeless life filled with regret at the end. No one wants that. Your purpose is to make choices, preferably God-like choices , so if you've got too much or too little of something in your life - something's got to change. Have you started thinking about the changes you want to make - in your relationships, health, career, finances, and life? What might your one word theme be for next year? Mine is going to be FLOW (Flow = Favor, Love & Overflowing Wholeness in every area of my life spirit, soul & body! In order for the Love of God, the Wisdom of God, the favor of God and the Wholeness of God to FLOW in my life, does not mean that I will have to severe myself from everything and everyone that I know. But to Allow for the unhealthy parts of these things to fall away and be open for the situations to become new, however that looks, I Must let go of the Old to embrace the new. You will be surprised at what the Spirit of God reveals when you are open! Because what God reveals he desires to heal! God has given you – US the gift to change. He said to be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…. To RENEW is to change! You can change habits, you can change emotions and life by changing the way you think. Submit to the process of renewing my mind, and expect divine progress and supernatural change. Believe the love that God has for you produces change. Refuse to accept past definitions and limitations. Take the Limits off! Embrace God’s view of you through the mirror of His Word and NOT through the thoughts of the old Man in the Mirror. Embrace the NEW – Get ready, be prepared to walk into your next and new season! You are being changed into His image NOW! So, Welcome to The Winning Image! I’m Pastor Rhonda Ferguson-Lewis and this concludes another Winning Wednesday!