coping with change and transition...

I am so proud of how our church family is handling this season of change and transition at New Heights. The positive attitudes and flexible attitudes have really encouraged me as a leader.

Galatians 6:9 says, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Transition is inevitable in this life. We can either allow the seasons of life to transform and transcend us, or we can resist them and become stressful miserable creatures.
Recently I took the time to figure out how many times I've moved in my life. I was blown away to discover that in my 43 years of life I have moved 35 times, some of which were to a completely new state, or even country (such as Canada as a very young toddler). I attended 13 different schools in twelve years of my childhood education, followed by my attending four universities and four different community colleges, not including my latest acceptance into a new dual masters program in graduate school beginning this fall. I have experienced change and transition my entire life, most of which was exciting and always energetically anticipated. I also am aware that many people are not comfortable with the idea of change and transition. Over the years I have learned a few things about coping with transition. Perhaps these nuggets will help some who are struggling:

1. The first step to coping with transition is to simply accept that it is inevitable and choose not to resist it.
2. The second step is to allow the full benefits and potential good of a transition to work for you. Transitions grow us, stretch us and reveal most often our greater potential.
3. The third step is to choose to persevere and hang in there no matter what the transition brings. Perseverance is the fertilization that allows you to blossom where the new transition has planted you. Its amazing what we humans can endure when we put our mind to it.
4. The final step to coping with transition is to celebrate God's purpose and plan as it unfolds through the transition. Too often we don't celebrate the good that is sprouting up out of a painful or awkward transition. Be positive and celebrate the fruit of inevitable change in our lives.