How to Handle Transitions

I have two friends facing major transitions right now. Both women lost their husbands recently. One to illness and old age, the other to suicide that came without warning. I also heard from another friend whose career and life-dreams seemed to be mired in mud for the past year—but within a few weeks both she and her husband found excellent jobs, moved into a delightful apartment, and are overwhelmed by the way God led and blessed.For all of us, life is a mixture of pain and joy. Where are you right now? How are you looking at your circumstances: as a prison, a place of limitations, or maybe a place of hidden opportunity for growth? Could there be a way to reframe how you’re reacting to your situation?When the Apostle Paul was jailed, he wasn’t free to preach, travel, or do what he was called to do. Being human, he faced the same kind of choices, spiritually and emotionally, that you and I do when going through a difficult and undesired time. Here are some of them:

• We can look back and grieve—which is certainly appropriate and emotionally healthy when going through a major transition involving painful loss. But it becomes unhealthy and unproductive when we cling to what was and reject God’s future blessings.
• We can get angry—blaming and fighting with others, or erupting over our circumstances.
• We can get depressed—feel sorry for ourselves, compare our lot to others, and feel hopeless.
• We can rail at God—if You love me, why is this happening? Where are You? Change this!

What can we learn from Paul? He was imprisoned several times yet:

• He looked back and praised—instead of bitterness he chose to pray and worship (Acts 16:25).
• Instead of getting angry—he looked for what God had for him to do in his new situation.
• He rejected depression—and sought the Holy Spirit’s direction to keep on glorifying God.
• He accepted his new circumstances—he knew God was with him in them.
• He looked for how he could serve—he refused to let his situation diminish his passion.
• He used his gifts to write many books of the New Testament while imprisoned. When life changed, Paul looked for other ways to accomplish what God had for him to do.

I don’t know what circumstances you’re in—whether it’s a transition time that is difficult or exciting. Whatever it is, prayerfully ask yourself:

• What is God saying to me about how I’m responding to this situation?
• What does He want to produce in me through this?
• What steps do I need to take to move closer to Him and His further blessings on my life?

May I pray for you? Heavenly Father, I know you want to strengthen my friend, to bless her and use her life to influence others for You. Please show her where you are at work in her life and how you want to shape her into the likeness of Jesus. Show her any attitudes or thoughts that keep her stuck in anger or depression. Fill her with the joy and hope that comes from your Holy Spirit. In times of transition, help her remember you are lovingly leading and directing her path. Amen.This article originally appeared in September's issue of Thrive, my free monthly newsletter. If you liked this article, you may want to sign up for Thrive to receive future issues with more articles like this one! Click here to sign up for Thrive. Blessings,Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.