What To Do When You’re Afraid Of Change

You and I can not change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.
~Warren Wiersbe

Change is in the air. It’s the season of new beginnings. The time of transition.  Many students started school today and many more will begin classes later this week or next week. There will be new teachers, new friends, and new environments to adapt to.

The truth is that life is full of transitions. Whether it’s starting school, starting a career, being a parent for the first time, or facing life without a loved one, life is always evolving.

Changes, even good changes, can be very challenging.  Most people prefer to stay in their comfort zone.

We were never, however, meant to live stagnant lives. We were meant to figure out how to sail smoothly through all the various seasons life brings. In fact, the only way we can grow and become all that God wants us to be is through change.

Although transitions can feel overwhelming, we can embrace them by adjusting our perspective on them. We can learn to embrace each change we face with joy.

There’s a lot that we don’t have control over in life, but we definitely do have control over our attitude.

I, myself, am bracing a big change in life right now as we prepare to drop off our youngest child, our daughter, at college. I have been a stay at home mom for the last twenty three years and have loved it. To think of life without lunches to pack, carpools to be involved in, school events to attend is un-imaginable. I have to confess, however, I am a little fearful of the thought of my future without my children in my daily life. I’ve built my life around my children.

 The truth is I’m afraid of change. Maybe you are too?

Here are some tips that are helping me transition well. I believe they will help you too:

1. Change your thoughts

It’s up to you to make healthy choices for your emotional and mental well being. Making a conscious choice to embrace the changes you are facing by trusting God is one good choice.

God has told us that we are never to be anxious about anything but that we are to go to Him with anything that troubles us (Philippians 4:6-7). We fear change because we anticipate and create in our mind what we think life will be like. We tend to project about the things that may happen and we worry about things that we have no control over.

I encourage you to surrender anything that’s robbing you from having peace in your heart. Surrender it all through prayer to the God of the Universe, the One who created you, the One that calls you by name and loves you (Isaiah 43:1-4). Believe that God has you and your loved ones in the palm of His hands. He has a good plan for you and your loved ones, and He will never leave your side (Hebrews 13:5).

2. Find support

Finding other’s that can relate to the change you are going through can help you a lot. Being with people that can be empathetic to your emotions will help you feel less alone. There’s strength in knowing we aren’t the only ones facing the season we are in.

Be pro-active in seeking out and planning time with those that can encourage you (Hebrews 10:24-25).

3.  Accept the season you are in

Our God is a purposeful God. There is nothing that  happens without His approval. Even when things happen to us that are the consequences of ours or someone else’s sin, God will use it for our good (Romans 8:28). We can find a lot of peace in simply accepting that we are exactly where God wants us to be.

Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling,  but don’t allow your emotions to control you. Eventually the unfamiliar will become familiar and God’s plan for your life will begin to make sense to you. Joy always comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

 4. Receive today as a gift

Every moment of life that we have been allowed to live is truly a gift from God. This doesn’t mean we will be content every second of it, but it does mean we can strive for that.

In Philippians 4:4 it says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!“  I think the key words in this verse is “in the Lord.” As a follower of Christ find your peace and joy in God’s faithfulness.

Do your part of adjusting your attitude and trust Him with the rest.

God is good. He is good all the time.

Let this be the season of growth for you. Instead of fearing changes, embrace them with great joy (tweet this).

Learn how to be content wherever the Lord has you.

Please leave me a comment below on how you cope with changes in your life.

“…I have learned the secret of living in every situation… For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:12-13

Photo Credit: Pinch Luther- Pinchstudio