Do you feel like your life is constantly changing? (It probably is!) Life’s transitions are unending and can spark anxiety and fear. How do we trust God in the midst of transition? I recently had the chance to speak on this topic and I’m excited to share these talks with you.
My life has had lots of transitions–from being a single career girl, to marriage, to 5 kids in 7 years including twins, to almost 5 teenagers at once, to 4 weddings in 3 summers, to the empty nest, and then one bounced back for a season, to 21 grandchildren.
All along the way I kept waiting for life to calm down. HA!
Photo by Biegun Wschodni on Unsplash.
Life doesn’t calm down; it only gets more complicated. I kept waiting for stability expecting it to be the norm. But instead I discovered:
Transition is the norm; stability is the rare exception.
Now John and I are getting ready for another transition as he retires this week and steps down from being rector of our church, a position he’s held for forty years.
Transition comes in different packages:
- Biological seasons: from parenting toddlers, to parenting teens.
- Difficult transitions: a move, a new boss, a new job, elderly parents moving in with you, the loss of a dream.
- Joyful transitions: marriage, the birth of a child, pursuing a dream.
- Tragic transitions: a death, illness, loss of a child, a financial crisis.
Transition is a constant and is by nature awkward. The questions is: how will we handle life’s transitions?
Will it be with fear and depression, or with a sense of adventure and a tender heart towards God?
Where will we run in transition?
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.”
It’s helpful to ask, Where am I running?
It’s so easy to run to other places for comfort and some may not be safe: a non-believing friend, alcohol, a man not our husband, busyness, over-commitment, the internet, shopping, food.
Whatever transition we are experiencing, God wants us to run to Him for guidance, for comfort, for purpose, and for understanding.
But what does ‘running to God’ look like?
Recently I had the opportunity to give 3 talks on “Trusting God in Life’s Transitions” at my church’s women’s retreat. It was a very special time.
I’d like to invite you to check out the talks below and listen along. And I’d love to hear what you are learning in your own transition.
Blessings, Susan
“Anchored: Trusting God in Life’s Transitions”
Women’s Retreat at The Falls Church Anglican – March 2018
Download Friday Night Talk: Transparency
Download Saturday Morning Talk: Transformation
Download Sunday Morning Talk: Triumph
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Susan pease email me if you are speaking at a church again. I would love to come.
Hey Kim, Thanks for writing! My speaking schedule is posted on my site. I have not put the fall one up yet but will soon. I’d love to meet you sometime. Blessings, Susan
This is basic and real – I find it very helpful especially at a time like this when I am at a cross road about some job changes. Thank you so much Susan!
Thank you Victoria for writing. It is always encouraging to hear from folks. May He give you guidance and peace in your job change. Proverbs 3:5-7 is encouraging!Love, Susan
Susan,
I was in a very bad depression this winter and dragged myself to the retreat. I struggle with it, and have settled for managing it with medication. But it was worse this time, I was truly in despair . Feelings of loneliness, and shame over feeling depressed in a transition from 30 years of teaching, to retirement. What was my purpose now?
YOUR WORDS , and being washed in the scriptures , the entire weekend pulled me out of the pit .The reminder that We need to rely on facts first, feeling last, was life giving to me.
Scripture, Gods promises are the facts upon which I can hang my hat. FEELINGS lie and despair distorts the Truth.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS THIS TRANSITION FOR YOU AND JOHN, AND MAY HE SHOW YOU A “NEW THING” EACH MORNING.