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Barbara Brabec’s
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Personal Musings about Life

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October 2025

Moving Forward as You Cope with
Change and Uncertainty

~ Reflections from Barbara’s Journals and Articles ~

What I learned each time things in my life changed, forcing me to move to a new area of life outside my comfort zone.

Several years ago, I discovered an online ezine published by Dan Miller at 48Days.com. I strongly related to an issue he published about how we were being affected by new technology, work models, methods of learning, and theology. Little has changed since then, except that everything is happening more quickly now than ever before. “We can’t escape these changes,” Miller said, “but we do have an option for how we’re going to deal with them. With change comes defeat and despair—or opportunity.” (See more about Dan Miller at the end of this post.)

I identified with Dan’s words as I remembered how defeated I felt at the turn of the century. The Internet was exploding, and I was still using a DOS computer, sending email and browsing with Web-TV. Totally overwhelmed by technology, I was beginning to believe I was just too old to learn all this “new stuff.”  

But I was wrong. We're never too old to learn new stuff, and opportunity is always knocking on our door. All we have to do is listen, and then open the door when we hear it. Of course, opening the door is just the first step. Then you have to walk through that doorway into a whole new area outside your comfort zone. I’m more stressed by changing technology today than ever before, but I keep trying to stay on top of what I need to change to keep moving forward in my website work and writing. But lately, I always seem to be working outside my comfort zone. The following quote gave me something else to consider:

“The world is changing at a magnitude and pace we’ve never seen before,” says pastor Allen Jackson. “We’re seeing the culmination of the ages beginning to unfold. Make us aware, O God, of the times in which we are now living, and help us to walk in the will of our LORD God Almighty to be good stewards of His Kingdom.”

Are You Feeling Stuck or
Trapped In a Bad Place?

If so, you know you have to MOVE to get to a better place. It may not be easy, but it will be worthwhile.

I’ve been in “that place” many times, and although I always wanted out of that place, I rarely moved quickly because I dreaded having to leave my comfort zone again. But the positive result each time I did that automatically repositioned me for something else that wouldn’t have come my way if I hadn’t moved in the first place.

In time, I learned that God had already dealt with what I was running scared from. Every time I moved into scary new territory, I found that God had positioned people to cross my path. At first, I thought these mysterious happenings were a coincidence, but once I’d accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I quickly learned there are no coincidences where God is concerned, only what Christians like to call “Godwinks.” Essentially, this means that when we move and take a step in a new direction, God moves with us. And to help me deal with technology in my older age, He put special helpers in my life to guide me through each new “technological pitfall” He knew I would encounter.

A verse I have long lived by is this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11; NIV).

These verses also confirm how much God loves us:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9; NIV)

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5; NIV)

Recently, we sang a new hymn in church, and the words in the second stanza touched my soul because God is taking me in new directions now with a future I can’t yet envision. I’m hanging onto the words in italics below:

“I’m fighting a battle you’ve already won.
No matter what comes my way, I will overcome.
I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know what you’ve done.
I’m fighting a battle you’ve already won.
(From the song, You’ve Already Won, by Shane and Shane, 2023)

Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Zone

In looking back, I see that every move that took me outside my comfort zone was accompanied by an intense period of self-study that got much easier once I learned how to use the Internet. I’ve always believed that if someone can read and study and then apply what they’ve learned, they can do anything they’re trying to accomplish.

When I turned eighty and was reflecting on my lifetime as a self-employed writer, speaker, editor, and publisher, I decided to document my successes to illustrate how much I had accomplished simply by working hard, doing all the self-study that was needed, and keeping going even when the future looked bleak. I hope my article, “One Writer’s Success Story,” will be an encouragement to individuals who are just starting a business of their own and wondering if they have what it takes to succeed. Or maybe it will encourage someone to keep going if they’ve just experienced a devastating business or personal setback and are wondering if it’s worth the effort to keep going.

Another Resource for You

If you’re not happy with the work you’re doing now, or are feeling stuck in a place you don’t want to be, check the 48Days.com website. Dan Miller, an inspiration to me at the turn of the century—who died of cancer in January 2024—would be so proud of his daughter, Ashley Logsdon, and son, Kevin, two podcasters who are continuing their father’s entrepreneurial work. Says Ashley, “I believe without a doubt you can find–or create–the work and life you love if you combine your Talent, your Passion, and a clear process for sustainable Income.”

That’s exactly what I did 25 years ago, and it worked, so I say Amen to that advice! May God direct your steps as you go out into the world today.

Related Article

“Dealing with the Constant Need for Change.” Each year, as things around us change, or we change, we will find it necessary to make subtle shifts in the way we’re living and working. (This article links to another, “The Need for Change as You and Your Business Grow Older.”)

P.S. Visit the HOME page for Timely Quotes and links to Featured Articles of the month. Thanks for linking others to Barbara Brabec’s World.

Archived Brabec Bulletins
Publication of the Brabec Bulletin ceased in
June 2025, after 25 years of publication.
Year 2021-2022 <=>  Year 2023  <=>  Year 2024 <=> Year 2025

Brabec Bulletin Tidbits on Life are archived here.

Musings About Life Posts
Published in 2025
Earlier Posts are archived here.

September 2025: The Importance of Numbering Our Days: 2nd in a series of Bible Study Lessons from Barbara’s Journals. If we approach the end of our life with limited years left, we should be careful about how we live. For the Christian, that means asking, “How am I doing with God?”

August 2025: Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah’s Flood. First in a Series of Bible Study Lessons from Barbara’s Journals. This month’s Musings shares keen biblical insight from two of my favorite pastors. You’ll learn more about them and the three Godly men named in the title.

July 2025: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry! What the Bible Has to Say About Food and Drink. Two short Bible study lessons and stories from my 2015 computer journal.

June 2025: Bible Lessons Learned from Three Powerful Evangelistic Sermons: Of Scribes and Chronicles, The Procedure of Faith, and On Whom Do You Lean for Support. Three examples of how I get more from Bible Study by journaling what I’m learning and then incorporating notes taken as I read related books and listen to or watch sermons by favorite pastors.

May 2025: Dealing with Grief and Sorrow When You Lose a Loved One. In 1978, when two of my friends died within days of one another, I suddenly had to face the reality that no life lasts forever. These two deaths taught me much about grief and sorrow, and this is what I learned from this life-changing experience.

April 2025: What Are Your Spiritual Gifts and God’s Will for Your Life? How I came to know God’s will for my life and the spiritual gifts I’d been given.

March 2025: The Bullet That Changed the World. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump before his election changed not only his feelings about God and religion, but also how he would govern and begin to change the world as President.

February 2025: Drawing New Meaning from Life Experiences. Perspective on looking back at your life to see how it’s playing out, ways to grow old gracefully, Bible prophecies coming true, and 5 rules for joyful living.

January 2025: How to Chronicle Your Life or Specific Time In It. Ever think about what you want to do with the rest of your life? If you decide to start a new life endeavor or move into a new area of learning and growth, putting your plans in writing will help you achieve your goal.

Copyright © 2025 by Barbara Brabec. All Rights Reserved.