My youngest child is 2-years-old and it is time for the dreadful potty training days. Even though I have done it 4 times before, it still is a struggle for me. All of my children are leaders and don’t like to be told what to do. It becomes a battle of the wills. The decision is ultimately theirs. I can put them on the toilet, but I can’t make them go potty. Nevertheless, I am 7 months pregnant, and I need her to be trained before this baby gets here!
In my frustration, I begin to think about her frustration. All her life, all she has known is a diaper. She has been using it as she pleases with no complaints until now. Why should she have to do it different now?
This made me think of all the times I’ve encountered situations when there was a system in place that didn’t seem to function properly. Many times when you ask someone why they do something, they will tell you because that is the way it has always been done. Many times they are opposed to change. This will cause whatever the situation is at hand to become idle and no longer useful for the next season.
In order to be successful in maturing into a new season. We must be willing to do things differently. What use to work in our old assignment, won’t be enough to sustain us in the next level. We have to be willing to take our diapers off and use the potty! We have to be confident and independent in transition, using all of the tools God as already equipped us with. Babies don’t need anything tangible to learn to use the potty. God already equipped them with the ability to go. We as parents just need to train them in that ability. So it is with ours. God has been training us. Now it is time to use what He has given us! The Holy Spirit is like our pull-up that keeps us from having a messy accident. We must stop acting like stubborn 2-year-olds and let the Spirit lead us into change that will elevate us into our next season. We can then put our big girl panties on knowing that God is with us and we can embrace change and live in whatever season God transitions us into for our growth.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NKJV)
12 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13 (VOICE)
12 I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. 13 I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (AMP)
12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
God gives us strength for whatever change that we face. The process might seem grueling at the time, but the benefits of the results far outweigh the annoyances of the process!
Father, we thank you for the process of change. Help us embrace the change for the maturity that it brings for us and for the stages in our children’s lives. Forgive us for acting like babies who want to be fed and changed instead of becoming independent and sufficient in Your sufficiency. We know that You have equipped us for every good work. Show us when we need to do things differently to get to the next place that You want to take us. Help us be sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s instructions. We know we can do all things through Your strength. Show us how to train our children using the same patience and mercy that You have given us. Let our children not only easily embrace change, but also be the change that this world so needs! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
In my frustration, I begin to think about her frustration. All her life, all she has known is a diaper. She has been using it as she pleases with no complaints until now. Why should she have to do it different now?
This made me think of all the times I’ve encountered situations when there was a system in place that didn’t seem to function properly. Many times when you ask someone why they do something, they will tell you because that is the way it has always been done. Many times they are opposed to change. This will cause whatever the situation is at hand to become idle and no longer useful for the next season.
In order to be successful in maturing into a new season. We must be willing to do things differently. What use to work in our old assignment, won’t be enough to sustain us in the next level. We have to be willing to take our diapers off and use the potty! We have to be confident and independent in transition, using all of the tools God as already equipped us with. Babies don’t need anything tangible to learn to use the potty. God already equipped them with the ability to go. We as parents just need to train them in that ability. So it is with ours. God has been training us. Now it is time to use what He has given us! The Holy Spirit is like our pull-up that keeps us from having a messy accident. We must stop acting like stubborn 2-year-olds and let the Spirit lead us into change that will elevate us into our next season. We can then put our big girl panties on knowing that God is with us and we can embrace change and live in whatever season God transitions us into for our growth.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NKJV)
12 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13 (VOICE)
12 I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. 13 I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (AMP)
12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
God gives us strength for whatever change that we face. The process might seem grueling at the time, but the benefits of the results far outweigh the annoyances of the process!
Father, we thank you for the process of change. Help us embrace the change for the maturity that it brings for us and for the stages in our children’s lives. Forgive us for acting like babies who want to be fed and changed instead of becoming independent and sufficient in Your sufficiency. We know that You have equipped us for every good work. Show us when we need to do things differently to get to the next place that You want to take us. Help us be sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s instructions. We know we can do all things through Your strength. Show us how to train our children using the same patience and mercy that You have given us. Let our children not only easily embrace change, but also be the change that this world so needs! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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