Transitions Aren’t Easy
Transitioning. A change or shift from one state, subject, place to another. To switch, change, move, changeover, or experience passage. An example might be transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
What about living out our everyday transitions? As folks grow older, they begin to lose close friends and relatives to death. Or have a need to move or downsize. Or deal with new health issues.
Recently I talked with people who have struggled or are still struggling with challenges as a result of the pandemic. Husbands or wives who lost their specialized jobs. Others with health conditions like asthma required to wear masks at work or schools. Business owners losing financially as shoplifters steal.
Others in transition face changing careers. Or cope with on-the-job challenges–social distancing, mask wearing, angry/upset customers, financial setbacks, mandates against their conscience. Some of my friends are even now homebound with covid. How we pray this “health crisis” will be over soon!
It is easy to lose hope or give in to despair as we transition through various seasons.
Way before he was king, David went through a despairing crisis. When he and his men returned to Ziglag, they discovered the Amalekites had raided his town, burned it, and stolen their flocks. Worst of all the enemy had taken their wives and children into captivity. Bitterly grieved, David and his men wept for their losses. Then his own men turned on him and threatened to stone him. David turned to his only hope—God.
“But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)
Next, he inquired of the Lord. The Lord answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” He and his 400 men went on to fight the enemy. They won. And just as the Lord had promised, they recovered everything that had been taken—family and flocks.
Every crisis we experience and every battle we fight is different. But the principles of strengthening ourselves with God’s Word and following His orders is a way to fight through difficulties as we transition to a different stage. Sure, this can involve a lot of “inquiring of the Lord” for directions, guidance and favor.
Transitions aren’t especially easy. They challenge us. Sometimes discourage us. Often make us feel that we have been in a “waiting” stage far too long. But eventually we can come through.
Shift. Changeover. Transition. Prayer. And in the process expect and believe for a good outcome.
Prayer: Lord, help me through my hard places and help me keep my focus on You and the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide me through to my transition. When I feel overwhelmed with discouragement and despair help me recall and declare Scriptures of hope to push back the enemy’s attack. Thank You for Jesus and His shed blood given for me. I ask this in His name, Amen.
Scriptures: Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 AMPC)
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven. (Eccl. 3:1 AMP)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV). Note: one modern translation calls His shelter our “secret hiding place.”
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