I was working at an institution headed by someone who loved change—change to improve processes and products, change to improve the work force and the workplace. But were things sometimes changing just for the sake of change?

One change, a major reorganization of staff and departments, overwhelmed me. I was being moved to a newly created department. And I had a new supervisor, a new job description, and even a new office space.

I was leaving an excellent boss who was appreciative and encouraging for a new boss who did not seem to embody these qualities. My responsibilities were changing to new tasks in a role that management acknowledged might not last.

On top of all that, I was moving from a fun office space, with close and supportive co-workers, to a space where the dynamics were rumored to be strained and the office politics potentially tense. Low morale, lack of motivation, resistance, apathy, rumor, and gossip were affecting others on staff, too. We all struggled to cope.

So I prayed for guidance. And this verse from a poem came to mind:

Though this change seemed a bit like a "rugged way," I realized that, if I listened, God would guide me. And just as God was guiding me, He was also communicating directly to each one of His children. Everyone involved, from those who were directing the changes to those who were affected by them, was getting productive ideas from God. And God, who is universal Mind is the source of all good ideas. He helps each one of His children.

Then I thought about someone who proposed radical changes— Jesus. He shared some very new ideas about a totally loving, supportive, healing God. Jesus' teachings helped his followers change their conception of our very relation to God and His kingdom.

But these new ideas challenged some long-held traditions. Many people found his teachings threatening. They actively resisted the changes. But what if no one had embraced these important new ideas? To millions who have welcomed them, they've brought blessing, comfort, healing.

I considered why change is often resisted. Egocentric thinking—"Well it wasn't my idea!"—sometimes keeps us from seeing the value of what other people envision. I needed to acknowledge God as the one Ego—the source of all good ideas. I needed to move beyond self-centeredness to see everyone's ideas as worthy of consideration.

Selfishness also affects our ability to embrace change. "This isn't good for me," we think. The Pharisees fought Jesus' teachings out of concern for their own personal position and power. In my case, I seemed to be leaving a great deal for a situation that did not seem as promising. I turned to God to help me see His plan—the bigger picture that benefits everyone.

I also reflected on commitments in my life I could never change. The Bible provides a consistent set of laws and guidelines. The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1–17) and the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3–12) had directions to help me get through these changes. Committing to honesty, purity, principle, unselfishness, meekness, charity would help guide me in any situation.

The Discoverer of Christian Science was open to change. The thoughts that came to Mary Baker Eddy challenged just about every popular religious belief of her day. In Science and Health she wrote, "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds" (p. 4).

I could embody these qualities during the changes.

I could commit to praying to be more understanding. I could follow Jesus' counsel: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31) in relating to my new supervisor and colleagues. I could refuse to complain or gossip.

The changes ended up giving me an opportunity to use the creativity and perception God gave me as I helped to define my own new job description. I was also able to work at being a peacemaker and a calming influence as we worked through the changes. Many of them forced me to grow in unexpected ways.

Recently, the retirement of our CEO and the hiring of a new one have launched a new era of change. But I've learned that the best way to deal with change is through prayer. Prayer has given me the wisdom to know when to take a stand against change and when to welcome it gracefully. It has helped me recognize others' ideas as expressions of divine intelligence. So this time I'm ready and waiting for new opportunities to grow spiritually.