Coping with Change – You can embrace the new and thrive

As we move from Winter into Spring, Dave Simpson shares personal insights into coping with change. Some people find change to be the most challenging thing they have to face in life, however there are ways to adapt to new challenges effectively.

Change can be seen all over the place. Bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils all come into bloom and trees and bushes start budding with new growth.

Springtime certainly feels like the most dramatic time of change in the year. The daylight hours get longer and temperatures slowly warm up as Winter gradually releases its grip.

At the time of writing this myself and my family are going through one of the most sizeable changes it is possible to have, that of the arrival of a brand new family member. My wife is pregnant and due any day with our second child.

Just like the changes from Winter to Spring, there is so much about this big change that we’re excited about. Not least our daughter who is getting ever more excited about becoming a big sister.

Change in our lives is one of those things, like death and taxes, that is absolutely guaranteed. Coping with change can be quite daunting. This goes without saying when it comes to negative changes like losing a job or the passing of a loved one, but change in general isn’t easy to navigate.

We’re very excited about the arrival of our child but it is equally daunting embracing this change to our lives. We have to face the sleepless nights all over again for one thing!

Our daughter’s anticipation of becoming a sister is very pure, mostly because she has no concept of what this is really going to be like. We know she’ll make an excellent sister but equally she is bound to find the change in her life a challenge. She isn’t going to solely have her parent’s attention anymore. She’s going to have to share us, her toys and lots of other things with her new sibling. Toddlers aren’t exactly renowned for finding all of that easy!

I recently spoke with someone who told me that change is one of the things they find most challenging in life. That might be the case for you too. Perhaps you have challenges that at times you find very difficult to deal with?

A constant assurance for those coping with change

Whilst I was looking through the track listing for Cross Rhythms Plymouth I came across a song by Family Force 5 which was especially relevant. Its title is ‘When Everything’s Changing’.

The lyrics in the chorus speak of a way in which the songwriter copes with change;

When everything’s changing

You are my constant

I’d be lost without You

You might interpret this as being a constant person in your life who enables you to process change. A spouse, best friend or family member perhaps. The constancy of the love and support from people in our lives is a significant support but it isn’t this to which the songwriter is referring.

The song is about how Jesus is the one who is truly constant in our lives and is able to give us the comfort and stability we need to face any change. Knowing that He is a constant assurance for anyone coping with change.

Friends let us down, spouses can leave and family members aren’t always consistent with their love and care for us but according to the testimony of the Bible and the experience of many millions of Christians in the world today and throughout history, Jesus is a very real and ever faithful support in all the various stages of our lives and is constantly helping us with coping with change.

The one who created us and knows us best invites us to live our lives with Him and to know the peace of His presence as we navigate the changes of life.

My wife and I are very privileged to have great family and friends nearby who we know will help us through the impending change we’re facing but much more importantly for us than that, we know that Jesus is with us. This reality helped us so profoundly in the turmoil and change of 2020 when we had to raise our first child in the midst of a pandemic. The best thing is He is just as available to you now as He has been for us.

Also read: Real Hope in Challenging Times, also by Dave Simpson. Follow Dave on Facebook or LinkedIn