My comfort zone is being threatened

I was thoroughly enjoying a lazy Sunday morning in bed.  My husband was reading the paper and laughing out loud at an editorial comment.  I sat in bed sipping my coffee and doing what I enjoy most - being contemplative and allowing my mind to wonder here, there and everywhere.  That's when it hit me.

I am going through some pretty big transitions in my life.We've all heard the cliché, "The only thing that is constant is change".  This is true but, actually, there have been times in my life when not too much has changed for long periods.  I have mostly enjoyed those times, finding comfort in the predictable.  But, as the saying goes, change always comes.I have learnt that:

• change can be unsettling but
• it can also be energizing

When God prods us out of our comfort zone, it is always to help us grow.  In the change there always seems to be an element of faith and trust  - a feeling of "well ... here goes!" as we jump.  It can be an electrifying and energizing sensation.But change can also be really scary and deplete our energy:

• Sometimes we feel so tired or
• We feel ready to just give up and go back to that place of predictability that did not stretch us so much.

In our Christian growth process going backward is not really an option.  In moving forward we find our new normal, our new place of comfort and safety.  And in finding the new normal, we realize that we are so much stronger, so much more capable, so much more .... everything.  God has grown us.Here are some ideas on how to manage change:

• Whether you've chosen the change or not, it will have an impact on you.  Acknowledge that it is a scary/exciting/hurtful/other-type-of-emotion/ time in your life.
• Take that emotion to the Lord in prayer.
• Talk to a trusted friend or mentor if the emotion is overwhelming you.
• If you are overburdened with the workload that comes along with the change,  ask for help.  As soon as possible.
• Take care of yourself.  Do something just for you.
• Remember that you are not alone in this.  God is with you every step of the way, all the time, with every beat of your heart.

In my reflections on that Sunday morning, I stopped and said a prayer.  I asked for wisdom and stamina and joy in the process .   I look forward to realizing the growth that God will bring to my life.  My unique abilities are being honed, sharpened, and directed for His purpose.  How very exciting!I pray that as I come out of this time of transition, I will have more energy, more God ideas and be a more creative and capable leader.Question: What are things that help you cope with change? Enter into the conversation by leaving a comment.