Have you ever struggled with change? I know I have. Making the shift from high school to college, or college to the real world, for example, I was often filled with uncertainty. Thankfully, I’m not the only one to feel this way.
The fear of change is a universal experience. Even those who welcome or adore change will face transition periods that stir up discomfort, such as career changes, grief, relationship struggles, moving, health issues, or spiritually dry seasons. Though we may trust God, change can still feel terrifying. But what if we learned to view change as a means through which God deepens our dependence on Him? What if this very uncertainty is what He uses to refine our faith and redirect us toward Him?
Why Change Feels So Difficult?
From the outside looking in, change disrupts comfort and control. Even when it’s for a good reason that we’re adapting or modifying our schedules, we’re creatures of habit. Human beings crave predictability. When we disrupt that predictability, anxiety often increases. This is why those going off to college, starting a new job, or navigating an unexpected transition may experience heightened stress and unpleasant emotions.
According to Psychology Today, even those of us who want to change can struggle:
“As humans, there’s often this tension that exists: We crave newness, growth, and possibility, and at the same time, we want familiarity, predictability, and safety. This tends to create an internal conflict: part of us wants to evolve, while part of us wants to stay exactly where we are. This dichotomy is part of what makes change so hard.”
Hanley-Dafoe continues that 7 things contribute to this difficulty:
1. Personal history with change - No matter how you grew up, if you experienced an unpleasant memory associated with change, it will impact how you approach it in the future.
2. Perception of change- While some people romanticize change, others dread it. It’s this disconnection between reality and dreams that causes a lot of anxiety.
3. Change isn’t one event- Sadly, change isn’t a single defining moment, but something that happens over and over again in our lives.
4. What is known and unknown- While there are some things we know, we can’t know everything. Our brains favor the familiar and avoid the unknown.
5. Ego- It’s hard for us to admit that something isn’t working and needs to change. Realizing this can feel like a threat to our bodies.
6. Perception of overhaul- Many people believe change requires an entire life overhaul. This belief can be daunting and prevent us from making even simple changes in our lives.
7. How it’s measured- Change isn’t just dramatic results, but steady progress over time. If we measure change improperly, we will pursue it less and less.
Beyond these 7 contributors, we know that change isn’t just familiar to us, but also to our faithful ancestors and friends. Even faithful people struggled with uncertainty, from Moses, Naomi, and David to Peter and Saul (Paul).
Moses was called to lead Israel out of slavery. Naomi lost her husband and sons and was forced to start life over. David was the most unlikely victor, but became a King. Peter followed Jesus, later rejected Him, but then found his way back to Him. Saul faced deep spiritual transformation and became a whole new person. So if we aren’t the only ones to experience change, what does the Bible really say about it?
What Does the Bible Say About Change?
In Malachi 3:6, we read these words: “I, the Lord, do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed” (NIV). What I love about this Scripture is that even when circumstances and other people change, God never does. Life will continue to be unpredictable at times, but God is steady and secure. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV).
We might not welcome change with open arms, but we can trust that God often works through transition. No season is wasted to Him, and that includes seasons of change because He stays the same even when life doesn’t.
God called Abraham to leave home.
God called the Israelites to go through the wilderness.
God called Saul to become Paul.
God called David from shepherding to leading as King.
Over and over again, we see that change isn’t evidence that God has abandoned us, but that He’s with us even here. Even in uncomfortable or foreign places, He works all things together for our good and His plans for us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
Change may still be scary, but Isiah 43:19 encourages us to see the beauty: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (NIV).
How to Trust God During Major Life Changes
While major life changes are inevitable, here are 4 ways to trust God during them:
1. Bring Your Honest Emotions to God- When change knocks on our doors, many of us shut down. I know I have. But instead of curling up in your shell, pray to God. Express your discomfort and be real with Him. We see emotional honesty in Scripture, and that’s for a reason.
2. Focus on Daily Obedience- While most of us want to see the next 5-year plan for our obedience, God rarely gives us that. What he does ask for, however, is our daily obedience over knowing the full picture. God often gives the “next best step,” and not the entire roadmap. Trust Him daily, knowing that He provides for this day.
3. Stay Rooted- During seasons of change, keep your spiritual life consistent. Implement spiritual practices you can rely on, such as Scripture reading, prayer, community, and rest. Then, when you feel overwhelmed, remember what you can control.
4. Let Change Deepen Your Faith- Instead of allowing change to drive you away from God, let it draw you closer to Him. Choose to grow through the discomfort and be sanctified. God doesn’t want change to destroy your faith, but deepen it. It’s going to be uncomfortable, but embrace the process. Choose to plant your roots firmly and grow.
If you’re struggling to cope with anxiety during change, remember to separate what you know. Avoid catastrophizing the future and practice remembering who God is, even in these seasons. If you need to seek extra support, there’s no shame in that. From counseling to mentorship or church community, others are here to walk with you on your journey.
While I may not know every change you will encounter this side of Heaven, I know that God is still faithful in unsteady seasons. Change may alter our circumstances, but it can’t separate us from God’s presence. We’re called to trust God one day at a time. Not know and trust in the next 5-year plan. How can you choose to trust Him today?
Photo credit: Unsplash/Justin Luebke
