spiritual survival through transitional times

About two months ago, we left our home on the East Coast to move across the country. And I feel like I can finally say we’re getting to a point that looks remotely like being settled.

We’re more familiar with our new neighborhood and area. At last, we’re finding some kind of rhythm, and the pressure of all the “new” is lessening. Which is good.

Because in the middle of transition, I tend to panic.

It’s a combination of a lot of things:

Stress about the things that need to happen and the decisions to make.

Fear of the unknown.

An inconsistent and unpredictable schedule.

Getting used to some or many new things all at once.

Feeling ALL THE FEELINGS.

…And then overanalyzing how I’m doing.

Do you relate? Transition feels like being in the middle of a stormy sea. You don’t know what to expect, the landscape is ever-changing, and for the most part, you’re in survival mode.

Spiritual survival, too.

A full load and an inconsistent and unpredictable schedule shakes up my routine with God.

Some days I’ve gotten in a long walk, prayer, and some scripture. Most days, I’m woken up by my hungry boys, and don’t realize I haven’t looked at any kind of Bible verse until I’m about to pass out on my pillow for the night.

What does it look like to be godly during a transitional time of life?

The legalist in me says one thing. It holds me to a standard I can’t maintain, with discipline I don’t have, and determined consistency in a chaotic time. It beats me up when I break from that at all.

But a generous and graceful God says he wants me to walk humbly with him, like Micah 6:8 NIV says. Or as the Message version of that verse says, “And don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”

Here are some things to help survive and thrive spiritually during a transitional time.

Pray Pray Pray.

Pray is a major weapon against getting lost in the anxiety. But for me right now, it’s not looking like a 30-minute prayer at the same time each day.

It looks more like stressing out about getting somewhere on time, and then remembering in the car that I can always talk to God. It’s a major victory, like getting approved for a fantastic rental home, and glorifying God for it right then and there.

Whatever it looks like for you, make sure you’re keeping the lines of conversation open with God constantly, if not consistently.

Look for God in Everything.

Lysa TerKeurst gave this as the definition for fearing God in her book, Uninvited. It was one of those things that completely changed my perspective. That definition gives me so much hope and encouragement, and feels like something I can actually pursue.

It does take effort to look up instead of looking around. I can easily see something amazing that God worked out for me as just another thing checked off my to-do list.

But choosing to look for God in everything is what keeps my faith going, instead of being focused on everything that’s right in front of me.

Stand on the Promises.

I’m not sure how you personally cope with change. You may have the discipline to keep a focus in your Bible study. Or it may be difficult to maintain consistency with quiet times in this stage of life, like for me.

But if you’re going to hold onto anything, you can always hone in the promises. The ones about God never leaving us (Deuteronomy 31:8), his everlasting love for us (Jeremiah 31:3), and how he is working for our good (Romans 8:28). Through a tumultuous time, these words keep me grounded.

View Yourself with So Much Grace.

I have messed up so much in this time. I’ve been impatient, judgmental, yelling, nagging, losing my temper, worrying, choosing fear over faith, and more. I would be a hopeless case if I counted all those times and tried to measure them up against God’s righteousness.

But God. Those times, before and now, aren’t held against me because of his grace. Instead of focusing on our failures, we can decide to see ourselves the way God sees us – the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8 NIV), wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 NIV), his masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). We can look at our sin realistically and yet not let it overwhelm us.

How about you?

What helps you focus on God as you move through transitions, and life is chaotic?

Photo 1 by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

Photo 2 by Heidi Sandstrom. on Unsplash