There are times in life when we must move forward. Here are some examples:
Becoming a parent.
Kids leaving the nest.
Caring for an elderly parent.
The death of a loved one.
Letting go of an unhealthy relationship.
A sudden change in health.
Being laid off or fired from a job.
Moving and finding a new place to live.
Giving up a habit or lifestyle that’s harmed you.
As one season is ending, a new one begins to take its place. Since we can’t see the future and have unanswered questions about what comes next, it’s an uncomfortable place to be. The process goes something like this:
1 Reality hits that the time has come. Your first reaction may be a wave of strong emotions. I can’t! It’s impossible! I don’t want to deal with this! It’s too hard! I want to run away and hide! Take time right at the beginning (and throughout this experience) for space to breathe and be still and listen for God’s voice. Realize that what you DO have control over are the early choices you make that will determine how you’ll adapt to this big change. Will you respond with anxiety and stress, or make a healthy plan and invite God into your decisions?
Claim this promise and pray to ask for His help, from Psalm 121:2 (NLT):
“My help comes from the LORD, who made Heaven and Earth!”
2 The transition begins. Your emotions become less intense because you’re beginning to accept this is something that won’t go away for a season – or more. It’s best to face the facts. Your attitude and actions will determine the flow of each day. As the new changes get under way, you’re setting the stage for how it will go in the long run. This isn’t a “one-and-done” event, it’s a process. Make the best choices one at a time. Keep praying.
3 Panic, inertia, or positive progress. As things progress, there will be rough days that put you to the test (all challenges have them and it’s normal). How you react to them is up to you. Will you focus only on the negative and be stressed? Will you hide from the truth and “self-medicate” or give up, thinking it will somehow go away? Or, will you stick with the healthy plan you made and move forward, determined to stay on the right path? Pray even more.
4 The new season and its changes eventually merge with your life. The “new normal” has deep lessons to teach you. Along with the transition comes transformation. You’ll be able to trace a path back to your decisions at each stage and see where they’ve taken you. Are you now in a miserable place made worse unnecessarily – or in a healthy place despite a direction you may not have chosen? What has your experience taught you that you didn’t know before? Continue to thank God for His presence and provision every day.
In my own life, when unavoidable times come where I must move forward, it’s been a trial and error process like it is for most of us imperfect people. I’ve sometimes tried to power through on my own or let the emotions stirred up by challenges drown out what I know about God. Is He truly with me in the midst of the storm? Listen to these words written by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8b-9 (NLT), recalling a time when he and his ministry team were under extreme persecution – and hear what they learned.
“We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”
We too can learn to trust Almighty God more – not less – in times of trial. Let’s make wiser choices like these as we move forward through our challenging times:
Faith over unhelpful emotions or drama.
Faith over stress, anxiety, and pressure.
Faith over big unanswered questions.
Faith that doors will open that I can’t see – yet.
Faith that God’s plan is better than mine.
Faith that He is with me through the storm.
RESET HIGHER: Is there an area in your life right now where you must move forward? No matter how you’ve reacted to change in the past, you can make this time a healthier transition for your heart, soul, mind, and body. Be encouraged by this promise God has given to all believers found in Nahum 1:7 (NLT):
“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.”
