This past year has brought some big transitions and changes to the life of my family. I don’t deal too well with change and when I start to stress or flounder, I need scripture to hold in my heart and mind. If you are facing similar circumstances, this post is for you.
We lived in Canada for 10 years planting churches. God called us back to the U.S. Many people don’t understand that when you’ve been immersed in a new culture for so long that going back to your native land there is something called reverse culture shock and it hit us hard.
In addition to this and all of the stresses that come with moving to a new country, we had several personal tragedies and some challenges with our oldest teenager. I felt abandoned by the Lord and very alone in my suffering.
It’s out of this place that I share this hope and these Bible verses to encourage myself and others who might be currently overwhelmed by changes and transitions. Whether by choice or circumstance, it doesn’t matter, let your heart be comforted by the word of God.
How Change Affects Us
Your current life transition or change might not look like mine. Maybe you moved away from family for the first time, started a new job, had a new baby, entered a financial crisis, became an empty nester, or stepped out on a scary journey.
Change and transition has the ability to induce stress. It can manifest itself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. There is a “Life Change Index Scale” that is also appropriately called “The Stress Test.” It assigns a number to different life change events and then once you add them up, it gives you a percent chance of having illness in the future.
The National Institute of Health has put out an entire review on how stress can negatively affect body functions. In addition, there is the emotional response of depression, sadness, anger, etc. which affects mental health and relationships. Finally, there is the temptation by a follower of Christ to feel God has abandoned them, disappointed them, or allowed them to unjustly suffer, which leads to spiritual sickness.
It’s no secret that stress can make us sick. Our focus here is to get the to root of the problem spiritually before it gets that far (Disclaimer: If you need help from a medical professional, please seek it right away.). The goal is to be sure that our spiritual life does not suffer so that regardless of how else change is affecting us, we have joy, peace, and hope that are uninterrupted.
Holding on to the Promises of God
When everything around us seems like shifting sand, we need a firm foundation. David cried out in Psalm 61:2 (ESV): “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” David had in mind something or some one that is solid, never changing, and never failing. We have that in our God and the promises that He has given us in scripture. Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 ESV)
It’s up to us to believe in faith that He is our rock, firm foundation and that our trusting in Him is not in vain. In due time, He will show Himself might to deliver us. The patient waiting, hoping, and crying out over and over all lead us to a place where He can grow and mature us for His glory.
Bible Verses about Change and Transition
This is not an exhaustive list. There are tons of scriptures that I’m sure would speaking to your heart during this time of worry and fear. But, I pray these that God put on my heart will minister to you as they have to me.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
It’s comforting to know that even when our world is changing and chaos may abound around us, our God never changes. His love, His presence, and His peace are always very near for the taking.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
Daniel 2:20-21 ESV
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;”
If anyone knew about change, it was Daniel. The poor boy watched the fall of the great nation of Israel. It was a time of persecution, war, and fear. Not only this, but he was snatched from his land and sent to a foreign, pagan, and very violent nation to serve in the king’s palace. SCARY!
But, through it all, Daniel trusted God. He reminds us in this prayer that God changes times, seasons, and even has a hand in putting rulers on their thrones. Nothing escapes His notice or happens without His hand being in it.
This is something for us to rest in during times of change and transition, God is in control. He always has been and always will be. He can give us wisdom just like He gave Daniel to navigate our new circumstances. We need only ask.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
Jesus knew this world would be full of trouble and heart ache. This is why he promised us peace and told us not to fear. He left the Holy Spirit with us.
If we chose to listen to the power of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit will testify to this truth that we have nothing to fear and every reason to have peace. Satan is a liar and will try to convince us that everything is too out of control to ever settle down or be good. Don’t listen, God’s peace is with you and He is working it all out because He is good.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
God is always doing a new thing. New things are scary to us but God sees it as growth (springs forth), direction (way), and refreshment (rivers in the desert). We can alter our perspective and see change as a way for God to renew and expand us.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
When we go through difficulties such as a move, life transition, or changes in family dynamics, we have the choice to trust God or not. Jeremiah reminds Judah that if they would have chosen to trust God, they would be blessed, flourishing, and fruitful. Instead, they are about to suffer the consequences of their sins.
Jeremiah’s words to us hold true today. When we rely on God, He can grow our trust deeper and give us bountiful blessings. We just have to wait on Him and His timing.
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
1 Corinthians 15: 51-53 ESV
Change is not always a bad thing!! This is a big one for me. I always view change as negative. However, in order to be like Christ, change has to happen in our lives. And, the most positive and exciting change is something we can look forward to in the future.
In this letter to the Corinthians from the apostle Paul, we are reminded that some day, we will all be changed. It will be amazing. We will exchange this perishable body for one that will live forever with Jesus! That’s a change worth celebrating. When we fill our minds with eternity and the good that’s coming, its hard to let our current hardships get us down.
Prayer Resources for Change and Transition
I hope these verses have inspired prayer in your heart. That you will praise God for the good you see to keep a thankful heart and that you will cry out to Him for what your heart needs to grow your trust. I want to leave you with some prayer resources that really helped me through these tough times.
Prayers to Pray through the Psalms
Praising God in Difficult Times
This is so beautiful! Praying for you and your family in the huge transistion y’all are experiencing now. My hubby and I moved to TN in Dec after having lived in FL for almost 30 years and it is still a process for us, hanging onto God’s unwavering promises is helping us to get through this time of change. Thank you for this beautiful post and the verses are so wonderful! Thanks Arrica … 🙏🥰💕
Thank you so much for the prayers, Donna, and for the encouragement.
Continuing to pray for you, Arrica! This is all so much to deal with, but thank you for sharing the ways the Lord has carried you. So many people need this hope. Thank you for pointing us all to the hope we have in him. Hugs!
Thanks for the prayers friend. Yes, praying it encourages some other hearts like it did mine. God is good even in trouble.
Wonderful blog! Transitions can be so scary but it’s such a comfort to know God is walking beside us, even holding us up😊
Amen. So glad I have a God who sees, care, and helps in times of need.
Thank you for these Scriptures of hope and comfort that God is with us through all our uncertainties. They were very encouraging as this is a year of big changes for me too – praying for you as you transition and adapt.
Thank you for your prayers Sharon. I am now praying for you too as you go through change this year.