"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10
As we navigate through life, transitions are inevitable. Whether we're stepping into new opportunities, navigating unexpected challenges, or simply facing the unknown, seasons of change can leave us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.
Yet, in the midst of these transitions, even when everything else around us is changing, God remains the same:
El Roi - the God who sees us (Genesis 16:13),
Jehovah Jireh - the God who provides for us (Genesis 22:14),
Jehovah Shalom - the God who brings us peace (Judges 6:22-24).
I don’t know what life transition you’re currently navigating, but I want to encourage you to cling tightly to the hand of our Heavenly Father during this season. Just as a child clings to their parents’ hand in times of uncertainty, we can also cling onto God, our ever-present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1).
He is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer, offering refuge and strength in the midst of life's storms (Psalm 18:2). Trust in His wisdom and in His goodness, and know that even though you may not fully understand what’s going on or why things are happening the way they are, God is by your side every single step of the way.
Practically, leaning on God during times of transitions looks like:
1. Reading His word, drawing strength and encouragement from the timeless truths found within the Bible. Here are some Bible verses that I've held onto during my seasons of transitions:
Joshua 1:9 “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.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
Psalm 32:8 “ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Philippians 4:6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
To read more about how these verses have helped me navigate my seasons of transitions, check out this blog post!
2. Listening to worship songs, allowing the melodies of praise to lift your spirit and refocus your mind on the goodness of God. Here are some worship songs that have kept me going in my seasons of transitions:
3. Checking in with God through prayer and journaling.
When thoughts of fear, despair or hopelessness try to creep in, get in the habit of rebuking them in the moment and talking to God about them. In the moment, as it is happening talk to God about it. If you're at work or somewhere else where journaling or praying out loud is not feasible, do it mentally in your head, or excuse yourself to the bathroom so you have a moment to check in with God.
If you don't know what to say, or are too overwhelmed by your emotions to speak, journal about it to God.
When journaling to God, I find writing in stream of consciousness form really helpful. When you write in stream of consciousness form, you write whatever comes to your mind, as it comes to your mind, without filtering it. This form of journaling is really beneficial especially if you're someone who struggles with anxiety because as your mind is going 1000 miles per hour and you're trying to let your thoughts flow on paper, you don't have to worry about sentence structure, grammar, or anything other than just writing to God in that moment.
I encourage you to give it a try with your own journal, a piece of paper around you, or even in the notes section on your phone.
Start with:
"Dear Jesus,"
"Hi Jesus,
"What's up Jesus,"
Whatever feels natural to you in that moment and just let your thoughts flow as you write to Him.
You can also get your Dear Jesus Journal here. I thought it was just fluff, but I can testify to the difference that having a journal dedicated to pouring my heart out to Jesus has on how often I do check in with Him.
4. Watching sermons and teachings that speak to your current circumstances, allowing God's truth to penetrate your heart and renew your mind. This is one of my favorite sermons on transitions. Please take the time to watch it when you get a chance.
5. Spending time in community with fellow believers and opening up about the struggles you’re facing so you can receive prayer and support from those who care for you deeply.
If you haven't found a local church yet, I encourage you to keep looking. There is something beautiful that happens in your heart and your life when you finally find your church home and you get connected with other believers. The accountability, the support, the strengthening that happens when we do life with other people is unmatched and speaks to why God wanted us to do life together and encourage each other.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
I pray you found within this blog post some practical ways to navigate your season of transition. Remember that though the seasons of our life may change, the character of our God remains constant. He is always there for us no matter what we’re facing. It’s up to us to be intentional in the midst of our transitions to acknowledge His presence and lean on Him.
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