On a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, I had the opportunity to talk with Page Geske about how to navigate life transitions triumphantly. Because we will all face transitions at some point in our life, I wanted to further explore how to face transitions with God’s help.
Transition is just a part of life. Do I like it? Not all the time; but sometimes a transition can be an answer to prayer. I do like that. Also, it is sometimes not THE answer we had hoped for, but it is an answer. I am learning that there is hope even when life doesn’t go the way we had planned, and pain and heartache do enter our story.
Are you struggling with an unexpected and totally unwanted transition in your life? You’re not alone.
Trusting God in transition
Everyone has a scar of some type either from accidents or surgeries, or emotional wounds that have scarred our hearts. So many people try to hide their scars because they are embarrassed by them, but our physical scars can point people to Jesus if we allow them to.
Transition may involve scars and painful trials. Our lives become a book that others can read. What will they read? Hopefully, they will read a testimony of God’s faithfulness and love if we choose to walk through that transition following Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding, seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
Transitions can be a tool to point people to the Lord, even if they are difficult ones.
When facing a difficult transition, you must choose to press into the Lord and trust God regardless of the outcome. That is not easy to do.
Transitions can truly be a time of pain and fear but in 1 Corinthians 6:19, we find encouragement: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.”
Transitions develop our testimonies
You can use the transitions, the scars, the difficulties of life, to show how the Lord works in you and how He uses you to help and encourage others. We forget sometimes that a transition means a new place, new people, and new opportunities to deal with.
When you look at what is ahead of you, instead of asking “Why me?” It is much more productive to ask “Why not me? Why would I be immune to a life-changing course when others are experiencing it?
Life is full of tests. God gives a test and develops a testimony to those who will testify about what God has done. In John 14:26 we are reminded: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
So, I will press into the Lord while facing this transition and I DO have hope for the transition and I have hope for the journey. The Lord is with me every step.
What kind of transition are you facing presently? What is helping you build your trust in God during the process?
We’d love to know in the comments below.
What a great episode. I took few great notes for future reference.
Visiting today from IMM #1&2
I am undergoing a transition from a married life to a single one. It’s been with a great deal of struggle that I realized I need to let go of my relationship. It slowly strangled my joy and brought stress and anxiety into my life in a daily way. I didn’t want this to happen, but I realized health issues emerged showing me that I soon would be incapacitated if I didn’t find healing and help. After some months alone, I realized that it’s best to let go of a toxic relationship with an unbeliever who constantly put me down and criticized my actions and words. It’s been nearly a year and now I realize God has given me a testimony of His faithfulness in caring for my needs and meeting me spiritually in a way that has sustained and strengthened my inner being.
I pray for God’s insights and His Word to continually guide me each step I take towards living a life that honors and glorifies Him.
My husband passed away in April after a very brief illness. Just weeks before our 45th wedding anniversary. I know God is with me and will never leave or forsake me. This is the hardest thing I have ever faced. I look to Him and continue to go to church and ladies prayer each week. The pain is unbearable at times. I am thankful for the love and life we shared. And for the promise that I will be with him in heaven someday.
Presently I am witnessing a transition in our church which is painful and difficult for some…I just want to remain an encourager to those who feel this way.
Love this! Transition is never easy. Thank you for the encouraging words.