Transition is a time of moving from one season of life into the next. It is a time of stretching, expanding and growth. It is often uncomfortable, requires more than we are willing to give and uses muscles positioned deep within our character that would otherwise lay dormant. Yes, it can be one of the more difficult facets of life as we are forced to move away from our comfort zones and into the dreaded unknown. But it is a challenge we must all face in time, possessing battle scars and lessons learned that are unique to this transformational season.
“Transition is the ultimate battle within ourselves; we are forced to trade security, safety and what we know for risk, uncertainty and total darkness.”
If you’ve wrestled with fear, doubt and discouragement all at once, congratulations! You are probably in a time of transition. This highly specialized period is designed to purify, refine and create a more solid, stable “you.” Although you may feel at a loss or even defeated at times, you are actually on the frontlines of one of the greatest battles you’ll ever win. You see, transition is essential for greater opportunities and open doors. It is an absolute necessity in fulfilling your calling, and it is impossible to be effective in this life without having gone through it. I can recall dozens of changes within my own life and career over the years, but most of those were simply that; changes. Seasons of transition are different because it forces things out of us we never knew we had and replaces them with something we never dreamed we would be able to obtain. It’s a faith walk day to day, a constant re-shaping of perspectives. So when ideals are shattered, hopes disappointed, confusion and discouragement becomes an unshakable plague, and the infamous duo of fear and doubt slip into unprotected crevasses of our psyche; we can be sure that this chasm has a name. Simple change doesn’t do that, but transition requires it.
“Disenchantment, whether it is minor disappointment or a major shock, is the signal that things are moving into transition in our lives.” ~William Bridges
The good news is that transition is only a test. That’s right, a test. I should say, a time of testing and building. Refining, polishing, and getting ready for a season of purpose and fulfillment. It’s a time of developing into who we were meant to become, not for who we have settled to be. It is only through this level of struggle that we are able to build roots and foundations strong enough to handle the weight of the reward. We must become bigger, stronger and more capable to match the extraordinary requirements of our calling and purpose. We must gain wisdom to pour into those around us, yielding meaningful direction and purposeful outcomes. And we must glean for ourselves the refined traits needed in future struggles, minimizing potential damage by utilizing what we have learned.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” ~Anais Nin
It’s a new season of life so new things will be required. To operate on a new level, growth must happen. We must transition away from our former habits and thought patterns and make room for a broader view and more expansive impact. Life isn’t a game, it’s a mission. And missions are never carried out without proper training and testing. So as you fight your way through the unknown, I pray your faith grows as it is tested. Faith is the only thing stronger than fear and it’s at the core of what transition is really all about.
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