Finding Rest in Seasons of Change
Eagerly, my neighbor walked up to me and exclaimed, “Only 8 more days until school starts!” This wasn’t unexpected or new information, but something about the way she said it made my insides turn. It was as if hearing it from someone else made it real and immovable leaving me feeling anxious, desperate, and out of control.
How do you feel about seasons of change? Do you experience excitement, anticipation, fear, anxiety, resistance, relief?
As we face the start of a new school year, I’ve had numerous conversations with women experiencing conflicting emotions. On the one hand, we are excited about the structure and relieved to get a break from our kids (haha!), but on the other hand, we mourn the loss of freedom and dread the unknown.
Scripture is clear that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1), but it’s often in these seasons of transition we struggle to rest and surrender what’s coming to the Lord.
Here are 3 truths to stabilize your heart and help you find rest in this season:
God Knows
He knows who your child’s teacher will be, He knows if they will make the sports team, He knows their least favorite subject, and He knows what they need. Not only that, but He knows what YOU need, too. He meets us in the midst of our emotions, quietly speaking truth if we will slow down enough to listen.
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” - Psalm 139:16
God Doesn’t Change
No matter what we do or how much we try to manipulate or control situations, our circumstances will change. Our kids will grow and our roles as friends, moms, grandmothers, or teachers may shift, but the Lord remains the same. Because of this, we can choose to remain in Him, relying on His immutable character.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8
God Provides
Not only does God know what we need, but He provides in even the smallest details of our and our children's lives. This means He provides friends to sit next to our kids in the lunch room, He provides moms to help with carpooling on crazy days, and He provides an abundance of peace when we surrender our anxious hearts to Him. It’s here, in His provision, that we rest.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” - Matthew 7:11
I’m still emotionally conflicted about the change of seasons and the start of school (and that’s okay), but I’m also sure of this: change is not a surprise to God. I’m choosing instead to rest in His sovereignty, knowing He alone holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).
Instead of fearing transition, ask the Lord to remind you of these truths and to use the change as an opportunity to model rest and trust in God, our Provider.
