As we enter this season of gratitude, many of us find ourselves looking back over the past year—at the victories, the losses, the unexpected turns, and the quiet moments in between. Thanksgiving often invites us to notice what’s good, but sometimes the most significant things God has done in our lives have come through change—the kind that stretches us, humbles us, and sometimes even scares us.
There’s a line from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that says, “Change is like death.” Though spoken in a movie about dinosaurs, the truth behind it is deeply personal. Every change, big or small, requires something in us to die—our routines, our expectations, our comfort, our certainty. And yet, through that uncomfortable dying to ourselves, something new grows.
John Newton, writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” expressed this idea well when he wrote:
“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, and I am not what I hope to be, but, by the grace of God, I am not what I used to be.”
Change, whether welcomed or resisted, is often the very means God uses to shape us.
When Change Hurts Us
There are some changes that feel heavy. An unexpected diagnosis, a move you didn’t choose, a relationship that ended, or another door that’s closed. These moments can feel overwhelming, like something familiar is slipping away. And in those moments, thanksgiving may feel out of reach. But even in the painful seasons, God is quietly at work. He deepens our faith, He softens our hearts, and He grows us in compassion, perseverance, and empathy. Often, the places that hurt the most become the places where God’s grace becomes the most visible.
When Change Heals Us
There are other changes that bring joy. A new job, the baby you prayed for, healing, an answered prayer, or a fresh opportunity. These are the moments when we can clearly see the goodness of God at work, guiding us, surprising us, and blessing us. Both kinds of change, painful and joyful, shape us into who we are becoming.
And yet here is the true miracle: Even though everything around us changes, God Himself never does. Scripture reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
In a world full of uncertainty, God is our anchor. When life shifts, He remains faithful. When we feel weary, He is our strength. When everything feels unpredictable, His character, His love, and His promises stay the same. The God who carried us through last year’s changes is the same God who walks with us into the changes ahead.
As you pause during this Thanksgiving season, take a moment to reflect: What changes has God brought you through this year? Where have you seen Him stretch you, grow you, or reshape you? How has He remained faithful through it all?
You may not be exactly who you want to be yet. None of us are. But by the grace of God, you are not who you used to be. That alone is something to celebrate.
So take a breath today. Thank God for the changes that grew you and the constancy that holds you. Offer Him your gratitude—not because everything is perfect, but because He is.
May your heart find rest in the unchanging God who transforms us through every changing season.