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Everything that Ashley preached upon this past Sunday just about summed up transitions. We go through changes and different life stages while God is unchangeable. Now what? Here’s a HOW TO guide on coping with transitions for those who need a bit more guidance when you find yourself on the slippery slope of change.

 

HOW TO COPE WITH TRANSITIONS

1. Be prepared.
Before you go through the season of change, be aware of what will happen. It is no good being in denial and it won’t help you (if anything, it will delay adaptation and might even have devastating effects later on). It is better to come to grips with it and pray that God will help you be prepared than to ignore it. Pray earnestly to God about your fears over the coming changes and be rooted in God’s word beforehand.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

 

2. Know that God is there.
Having come to grips with the idea of change, you should also be reminded that God is with you presently, has been with you in the past and will continue to be there in the future. God is not bound by time and is already there for the moment of change.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
~ Hebrews 13:8

 

3. Know that there is a season for everything.
God created different seasons. Seasons of plenty, seasons of want. Seasons of replenishment, seasons of dryness. The whole chapter in Ecclesiastes 3 talks about this. Each season, as obvious as it is, is for God to teach us something new and for His glory. Remember that. Knowing that will encourage you and be aware that the season is in God’s hands.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

4. Put your hope and trust in God.
There are lots of sayings out there: “Every cloud has a silver lining”, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel”, etc. And the Bible constantly tells us to hope in the Lord and to trust in Him. There is no point wallowing in self-pity through times of transition, moping and whining that you don’t like it. During those moments of weakness, Satan wants to attack us and drag us away from God. Instead turn to God through prayer and His word.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

5. Communicate.
It seems obvious, but you need to carry on being in communication with God. This is a vital time to be talking to God. And also, share your struggles and current situation with your fellowship group. It is also encouraging to pray with one another during these times. (And it works well when you find it hard to communicate with God. God will prompt the other person praying on your behalf.)
“Pray without ceasing”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

6. Walk on.
Lastly, it is important to know that you cannot remain constant in your life. Things will change, people come, people go. You will need to eventually move forward too. You cannot be rooted in the past or current situation for too long. Instead, keep walking on and remember that God will always comfort you, so there is nothing to be afraid of.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
~ Psalm 23:4 

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