By Cindy

“Transition” is a complicated word. I personally think that “transition” is a euphemism that gives a really nice label to a basically unpleasant or challenging experience. After all, the worst part of labor is gently described as “transition”. How ironic.

When a woman in labor undergoes “transition” there is a quiet understanding that she may yell, disown her husband, throw things or in general act a bit crazy. People going through a life “transition” often come across equally stressed C though hopefully they restrain from throwing things.

No doubt, transition marks a difficult season where irritability, uncertainty and stress run higher than normal. But, what makes transition so challenging? Mainly the difficulty lies with going from what is known to what is not known. Particularly when a family moves to a new city / country, individuals go from being well-known to being a stranger. Before the transition, roles and routines are established. In the new location, others are not yet aware of the many gifts and skills that the new individuals bring.

Additionally, developing meaningful friendships takes time. It’s easy to be discouraged as one compares the depth of the relationships left behind to the new, entry-level relationships. However, the new relationships will certainly over time deepen and become as meaningful, if not more than the ones left behind.

One of the keys to weathering the transition experience is to remember that it is indeed a season. Over time, routines are established, and individuals find their place in the community. Over time, the individual / family realizes that they belong to the new location, just as they belonged in the former location. At this point, the new location takes on the feeling of home.

Reminding oneself that the transition will not last forever will hopefully minimize the stress experienced. It can be helpful to look back on other life transitions and recall how those situations eventually became normal and enjoyable.

I would suggest two other reminders that can help ease the discomfort of transition. First, remember the key reasons that the Lord led you to the transition in the first place. Unless the transition was initiated by some unplanned trauma, there were likely many positive factors that led to the decision to make a life change. Remembering, or even journaling those factors can help reignite the excitement and energy needed for the transition period. Even if excitement does not follow, you can rest with the knowledge that you are taking a step of faith that the Lord has initiated in your life.

Finally, the most comforting reminder is focusing on the Lord’s faithfulness throughout your life. In Scripture there are several occasions where the Lord recommends that the Israelites build an altar, or gather “stones of remembrance”. These stones not only represent worship of the Lord, but also they provide key reminders of times when the Lord proved faithful. Sometimes in the midst of trials, we can’t immediately feel the Lord’s closeness. We may be able to intellectually ascent to His “faithfulness”, but our hearts may not be ready to agree. Going back over significant times of the Lord’s faithfulness can calm our hearts, and re-focus our minds. Often tracing God’s past faithfulness highlights some of the key Spiritual themes that He is teaching during this time of transition.

Transition isn’t always a fun word. But, I believe it is a tool that God richly uses to shape and strengthen our faith. He loosens our grasp on the familiar and certain. As a result we grip desperately to His hand and become more fully dependent on Him. We have to walk through some murky and churning waters (Joshua 3-4), but in the end we carry out of the experience another stone to add to the altar of our lives C where we tangibly see His faithfulness.

- Cindy Post