When You’re Forced Into Change

By Nicolene Du Plessis

Sometimes change comes unexpectedly. We find ourselves pushed into a new place or season—not by choice, not even by obedience, but simply by circumstances beyond our control.

But here’s the beautiful thing I love about the Lord: Even when we think something is happening to us, it’s actually happening for us.

Have you ever been retrenched?

Lost your home or property?

Been turned down for the promotion you worked so hard for?

Didn’t get the dream job you prayed for?

What a disappointment.

But if there’s one thing we can learn about God’s way, it’s this: He is a Master at turning disappointment into re-appointment. Even when the enemy is hard at work, God is intentionally connecting the dots.

In Acts 18, we meet a couple—Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Aquila was a Jew from Pontus, and the two had recently been forced to leave Italy because Claudius Caesar had expelled all Jews from Rome.

Talk about change not by choice!

They may have seen this as a setback. A disruption. A Plan B. But God had a Plan A in mind all along.

They relocated to Corinth, and that’s where divine alignment took place. Paul, doing the work of the Lord, arrives in Corinth—and there they are. As it turns out, they were in the same trade (tentmaking), so Paul stayed with them.

I’ve experienced this kind of divine appointment. As we’ve travelled to various churches, we’ve stayed with different people along the way—and those moments have often been sacred. It's like God connects you with the right people at just the right time—those who need what you carry and vice versa. That’s the beauty of apostolic ministry. It refreshes, and you’re refreshed.

God’s plan didn’t stop there.

Later in Acts 18, a passionate man named Apollos arrives in Ephesus. He’s eloquent, knows the Scriptures well, and preaches enthusiastically about Jesus—but he only knows John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila hear him preaching boldly, they take him aside and explain the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:24–26).

Because they were positioned—even through forced change—they were able to refine and empower someone who would go on to have a great impact.

“Apollos had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy… They took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.” — Acts 18:25–26 (NLT)

Apollos then goes on to Achaia, encouraged by the church, and becomes a great help to the believers there. He even publicly refutes the Jewish arguments with powerful reasoning (v. 27–28).

Why? Because someone made space. Because someone obeyed—even when change wasn’t their choice. Because God turned a forced move into a fruitful ministry.

And there’s more.

In that same chapter, Paul receives a vision from the Lord:

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, ‘Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.’” — Acts 18:9–10 (NLT)

That included Aquila and Priscilla. They were right where they needed to be—not by choice, but by divine orchestration. They were counted as those who belonged to God.

When we belong to Him, we are counted, we are seen & we can be reassured that He is into every detail.

I love that God looks upon this city and is so well-aware of those who belong to Him and where they are placed.

So here’s your encouragement today:

When you belong to God, He knows exactly where to place you. Even when it feels like you're being pushed out, He’s actually placing you in.

That job you didn’t get? That door that closed? That plan that shifted?

It may just be God making room for His plan to unfold.

One conversation can change a town. Opening your home can unlock someone’s destiny.

Your Plan B might just be God’s Plan A in disguise.

Declaration:

Even when I’m forced into change, I trust that God is working all things for my good. I belong to Him, and He is positioning me for purpose.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have I been resisting a change that God may actually be using to reposition me?

2. Who has God placed in my life during this season—and what might be the reason?

3. What disappointment might God be turning into a divine re-appointment?

   
   

Prayer:

Father, thank You that even when I don’t understand the changes in my life, You are sovereign. Help me to trust You when doors close, when I feel displaced, and when life doesn't go to plan. Position me for purpose. Open my eyes to divine appointments and help me to carry Your Kingdom wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.