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Be Like a Rat (or a Jellyfish...)


I almost laughed when I skimmed the results of my Google search for “adaptable animals.” Some of the most adaptable animals on Earth are: (drum roll, please!): rats, cockroaches, jellyfish, mosquitoes, coyotes, and bobcats. I am NOT making up this information! Several Web sites listed these pleasant creatures - some of our absolute favorites, right?! – as the most adaptable animals. I found that humorous, but let’s be honest: we dislike adapting as much as we dislike the animals that adapt well.

It’s amazing how resilient and adaptable we humans can be. Think about different seasons of your life and how you somehow made seemingly impossible circumstances work. Staying up late and memorizing a remarkable amount of information before a test in college, pushing your body extremely hard while exercising, changing your entire eating and sleeping schedule when you have a baby – all of these are examples and proof that we can handle much more than we think we can. When trying situations arise, God never fails to give us the strength and stamina to deal with them physically, emotionally and mentally.

Adaptability is a blessing and an awesome gift from God. However, in the moment, the ability to face challenges, change and adapt doesn’t always feel like a wonderful thing or a blessing. In the moment, enduring tough circumstances often feels painful, uncomfortable, exhausting or even miserable.

I will be the first to tell you that I really do not enjoy change or having to adapt (okay, maybe my husband or my family would actually tell you that about me first!), but I know that it is important to be flexible and willing to handle whatever circumstances I find myself in with humility and patience.

I am far from being a pro at this. However, one thing that I find helpful to do when I’m faced with a challenge and forced to adapt is to identify the blessings in the change. Consider the examples above: what a blessing to be able to attend college and have the ability to retain knowledge; what a blessing to have a healthy body and the stamina to exercise; what a blessing to have a new child – a new life! Almost all of the challenging situations in life that push us out of our comfort zone and force us to adapt can be traced back to generous acts of God. He freely gives good gifts, but He also wants us to grow and experience abundant life, which requires enduring trials.

In those trying moments when we feel stretched, uncomfortable, vulnerable and tired, it is imperative that we remember and cling to the truth that is alluded to in the song I posted earlier. We must believe – really believe - “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Consider what is on the other side of seemingly unbearable hurdles. Be willing to be flexible and adapt, knowing that God will never, ever, ever, give you more than you can handle.

Trust, believe, and make like a mosquito. :-) Begin up the hurdle. God will meet you there (in fact, He’s with you before you even begin the climb). Trust Him to equip you with what you need to adapt and face challenges. He is able.

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