Have you ever struggled with change? I know. For example, when transitioning from high school to college or from college to the real world, I was often filled with anxiety. Thankfully, I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Fear of change is a universal experience. Even those who welcome or worship change will likely face transitions that cause discomfort, such as a career change, grief, relationship conflicts, a move, health problems, or spiritually dry seasons. Although we may trust God, change can still feel scary. But what if we learn to see change as a means of deepening our dependence on God? What if this very uncertainty is what God uses to refine our faith and reorient us to Him?
Why do you find change so difficult?
From the outside, change disrupts comfort and control. Even when we adjust or change our schedules for good reason, we are creatures of habit. Humans want predictability. When that predictability breaks down, anxiety often increases. This is why people who go to college, start a new job, or experience unexpected changes can experience heightened stress and unpleasant emotions. According to Psychology Today, even people who want to change can struggle with:
“As humans, such tensions often exist. We crave newness, growth, and possibility, while at the same time seeking familiarity, predictability, and safety. This tends to create internal conflict. Part of us wants to evolve, but part of us wants to stay exactly where we are. This dichotomy is part of what makes change so difficult.”
Hanley-Dafoe continues that seven things contribute to this difficulty.
Personal history with change – No matter how you were raised, if you experience unpleasant memories related to change, it will influence how you approach change in the future. Recognizing change – Some people glorify change, while others fear it. The disconnect between reality and dreams causes great anxiety. Change is not a single event – Sadly, change is not one defining moment, but something that happens over and over again in our lives. What is known and what is not known – we know some things, but we cannot know everything. Our brains prefer the familiar and avoid the unknown. Ego – It is difficult for us to admit that something is not working and needs to change. Understanding this can feel like a threat to our bodies. Recognition of Reassessment – Many people believe that change requires an overhaul of their entire life. This belief can be daunting and even prevent us from easily changing our lives. How to measure – Change is not just a dramatic result, but a steady progress over time. If you measure change inappropriately, you will pursue less and less change.
Beyond these seven contributors, we know that change is not only familiar to us, but also to our faithful ancestors and friends. Even faithful people, from Moses, Naomi, and David to Peter and Saul (Paul), struggled with anxiety.
Moses was called to lead Israel out of slavery. Naomi loses her husband and son and is forced to start her life over. David was the least likely man to win, yet he became king. Peter followed Jesus and later rejected Jesus, but then found his way back to Jesus. Saul faced a profound spiritual change and became a completely new person. So if we’re not the only ones who experience change, what does the Bible actually say about it?
What does the Bible say about change?
Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change; therefore you, the descendants of Jacob, will not be destroyed” (NIV). What I love about this Bible is that even if circumstances and other people change, God never changes. Life will continue to be unpredictable at times, but God is stable and secure. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NIV). We may not be able to welcome change with open arms, but we can trust that God often works through transitions. There is no wasted season with God. It also includes seasons of change. Because God doesn’t change even if life doesn’t.
God called Abraham to leave his home. God called the Israelites to walk in the wilderness. God called Saul to be Paul. God called David from a shepherd to a king.
We see again and again that change is not evidence that God has abandoned us, but that God is with us here too. God works everything together for our good and has a plan for us, even in uncomfortable or foreign places.
“And we know that in all things God works for good to them that love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28, NIV
Change can still be scary, but Isaiah 43:19 encourages us to see the beauty in it. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it is springing up; do you not notice it? I am making a way in the wilderness and in the streams of the wasteland” (NIV).
How to Trust God During Big Life Changes
Big life changes are inevitable, but here are four ways to trust God through them.
1. Offer your honest feelings to God.
When change comes knocking on our door, many of us close our minds. I know. But instead of shutting yourself up in your shell, pray to God. Express your discomfort and be true to God. There is emotional honesty in the Bible for a reason.
2. Focus on daily obedience
Most of us want to know our next five-year plan for obedience, but God rarely provides it. But what he wants is our daily obedience to knowing the big picture. God often gives us the “next best step” rather than a whole roadmap. Trust God each day, knowing that He has prepared you for this day.
3. Continue to grow roots
Stay consistent in your spiritual life during seasons of change. Engage in reliable spiritual practices like Bible reading, prayer, community, and rest. And when you feel overwhelmed, remember that you are in control.
4. Deepen your faith through change.
Don’t let change draw you away from God, let change draw you closer to God. Choose to grow through the discomfort and become sanctified. God doesn’t want changes to destroy your faith; He wants you to grow in it. Embrace the process, even though it may be uncomfortable. Choose to take root and grow.
If you’re struggling to deal with anxiety during change, remember to separate what you know. Avoid a catastrophic future and practice remembering who God is, even in seasons like these. There’s no shame in needing to ask for additional support. From counseling to mentorship to church community, there are people here to walk with you on your journey. I may not know all the changes you will encounter on this side of heaven, but I know that God remains faithful even in seasons of uncertainty. Change may change our circumstances, but it cannot separate us from God’s presence. We are called to trust God one day at a time. They don’t know or trust the next five-year plan. How can we choose to trust God today?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/LaylaBird
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up, Amber looked for resources on faith and mental health, but couldn’t find anything. Now, she gives hope to young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond just reading the Bible and praying more. Because even though we love Jesus, we can still be plagued by anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help you navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
