As I write this, we have packing boxes all over our house. We’ll be moving out next week, putting our stuff in storage, traveling in August and starting a new job in September. In light of these transitions, it felt like the perfect time to write a blog post on how to move through seasons of transition with courageous faith rather than crumbling in fear and doubt. Seasons of change provide a wonderful opportunity for personal growth in our lives.
Psalm 23, is perhaps the most well loved psalm in all of scripture. Last night, as I went to sleep I was mediating on these words from David’s famous “shepherd song”, “He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:2-3). Looking at those words from David, I’m declaring some statements over my life as I move through this transition. These are statements you can make over your life as well:
- God goes before, behind, above and beneath me. He’s the one leading me through this transition and His presence goes with me. At no moment of this journey will I be alone. He will continually be with me through the changes.
- I trust You, Lord. When there are boxes all over my house and stuff is being stored in a variety of places, it’s easy for me to feel out of control. But, I learned a long time ago, God doesn’t want me in control. He continually wants to provide new opportunities for me to trust His sovereign control of my life. He is a good God. He loves me and is for me and not against me. By reminding myself moment by moment that God is both good and in control, I find renewed strength to face uncertainty.
- All that God calls me to do, He empowers me to do. God leads me in the paths of righteousness so that I can join Him in His agenda for me. He has specific good works that He has prepared for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10). At times, envisioning the future and all that Steve and I will be involved in feels overwhelming. But then I remind myself that when Jesus called Peter to walk on water with Him, Peter probably felt overwhelmed. Some of the tasks God calls us to will feel overwhelming, but when we feel overwhelmed, it’s the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves that when He calls us to do, He empowers us to do. I want God to do something so extraordinary through my life that no one can look at my life and say, ‘Becky did that.” I want them to say, “Only God could have done that through her.” That means I have to find the courage, even when the task looks huge, to step out of the boat onto the water.
Friend, I don’t know what transitions you’re facing. It could be you’re getting ready to send your first born off to college. Maybe, you find yourself dreading the day he leaves. Or, maybe you’re facing a new job opportunity and the challenge feels overwhelming. Maybe, you’re getting ready to move like me, and leaving friends and family, feels daunting. Remind yourself this week: God goes before you, behind you, above you and beneath you. You can trust Him. He’s a good God. And, finally, what He calls you to do, He empowers you to do. Then step out boldly.
What transition are you facing? What’s one verse that you find comforting when you’re facing changes? I’d love to hear from you.
7 Responses
Gigi Murfitt
Thank you Becky. I am being laid off my job of 17 years on October 1st. I know God has ordained this change to move me to speak and write more often. I hang on to HOPE as I TRUST His guidance in next steps, while HOLDING ON over the next two and a half months so that I leave well.
One verse that came to mind today is ““The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”
Psalms 138:8 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.138.8.nkjv
Thanks again for your blog post. Bless you in this transition. Gigi
Lynne D Ross
you Rock, Becky and lead the way for us to all be courageous!!!! Jesus Make me Brave!!!!!!
Becky
Love you Lynne!!
Mary Ann Cowell
Wow Becky. Perfect timing. Kari and Matt just moved today to Charleston and Kari I am sure is feeling all those things. I passed it along to her. I had sent her the verse about the Lord going before and behind. Praying for you!
Love, MAC
Becky
Thanks Mary Ann, I’m praying for Matt and Kari and for you and john and Sharon and Steve, I’m sure there were many tears. Love you friend!!!
Susie Debruyne
Your timing is amazing. Getting ready to send my firstborn off to college. Thankful I read your Praise challenge because I am praising God as her protection and her guide as I send her off on her own. Its good to know that God is in control and I was never designed to be. Praying for the best for you during this time.
Janet Anderson
Change is good!! We downsized and sold our home of 36 yrs and moved to a 55+ in God’s timing. God is in control of every season of our lives! Even through illness HE is enough! Almost 4 yrs ago I had much weakness, fatigue & joint pain all over my body. All tests were normal. A PT gal diagnosed me with chronic Lyme disease and the dr found 3 co infections from the same tick. God led me to a second Lyme specialist in March and I’m starting IV infusions next week. Praise God for His care of me and dr who deals in German supplements & plant based infusions. My husband has been a blessing through this illness-loving and praying for me. Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 40:31 and Isaiah 41:10 all are a blessing and God is the strength of my life.