How Do You Handle Transitions in Life?
As counselors, we often help people adjust as they deal with difficult transitions. Starting middle school, going to college, beginning a career, leaving the nest, getting married and having one’s own family, seeing kids off to school, death, divorce, and more. The list could certainly go on. At some point, transition is inevitable in all of our lives.
Letting Go: What This Season Is Teaching Me
In this season of my life, my husband and I recently dropped our oldest son off to college. Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of watching many friends experience this, and truthfully, at times I thought I wouldn’t struggle as much as they did. Now, I’m here, and I cried on the way home too!
Currently, I’m dealing with the transition of learning how to let go of many things related to this one transition. Letting go of my son not being home for me to hug each morning and night or to simply put eyes on him. Letting go of being able to call him anytime (he’s at a military academy with limited access to his phone for the first 6 months). Letting go of helping him navigate his classes, challenges, and more. It is not easy, I can assure you, and as many of you have already experienced, you know!
What Isaiah 43 Says About Uncertain Seasons
However, I’ve been leaning into Isaiah 43.
In this chapter, Isaiah is prophesying to the children of Israel about their impending exile and eventual return to their homeland. Basically, he is telling them they are about to experience many transitions and challenges. Yet, in the midst of proclaiming uncertainty ahead, Isaiah reminds his people in verse 2 (ESV):
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
God Says “When,” Not “If”
Notice, God says “when,” not “if.”
Oh, how I often wish it did include “if,” but it doesn’t.
The part we are to focus on is not the “when.” I believe we must hold on to the promise God gives us: “I will be with you.”
Counselors as God’s Presence in Someone’s Darkest “When”
Isn’t this how we encourage our clients or those we serve? Shouldn’t this be how God uses us at times as His image-bearers? We are often the way God chooses to be with others.
Sitting with others in the depths of the darkest “whens.”
The times people pass through waters they feel they will drown in. When they are walking through fire they are sure will leave them smelling of smoke for the rest of their time on earth. These are the times when we are often God’s visual representation of His promise to “be with” them.
Being present in that way also means paying attention to what our assessments can miss.
Our loving Heavenly Father is with us in our times of difficulty and sends people to help us in our dark or difficult seasons.
Reflecting on Isaiah 43 reminds me to be grateful for God’s presence. It truly is a gift.
You Can Do Anything With the Right People by Your Side
As my son left for college this summer, where he plays college football, I reminded him to choose his friends wisely. Once he told me about the wonderful young men God has given him to do life with in this season, I told him, “You can do anything with the right people by your side.”
Isn’t this what God is reminding us of in this passage?
We can do hard things, make difficult transitions, survive inexplicable grief, and more as long as God is with us.
The same is true for those of us who serve others. Walking alongside a community of Christian counselors is often how God provides that same support for us.
What Else God Promises in Isaiah 43
God gives other reminders throughout Isaiah 43 to help encourage His children. He commands us not to be afraid, reminds us of what He has already done for us, and calls us not to remain stuck in the past. He promises not only to be with us, but to send people to help us, to make a way for us, and to be trustworthy as a father! Finally, He warns against disobeying his commands. Disobedience may cause us to miss out on some of God’s greatest blessings, ultimately being His presence.
Our difficult seasons are not evidence that God has abandoned us. In fact, Isaiah 43 reminds us of the opposite: God is present with us in the middle of them. Our response is to trust Him, remember what He has already done, continue following Him, and allow God to lead us through whatever transitions we face.
Trusting God in Whatever Season You Are In
So let me encourage you today to read and reflect on Isaiah 43 as you continue to serve the Lord in whatever season you are in currently.
Learn to enjoy God’s presence daily.
I pray you experience His presence in new ways. As you do, allow God to mold you and do something new in you so you can continue to represent his saving grace in our Lord Jesus to all you meet.
Because it is not a matter of if the difficult seasons come.
It is a matter of when.
And when they do, He will be with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Isaiah 43:2 mean?
Isaiah spoke these words to Israel ahead of exile, so the promise assumes hardship rather than preventing it. God does not say the waters and the fire will be avoided. He says He will be present in them. The phrasing is “when,” not “if.”
How can counselors support clients through major life transitions?
Often by being present rather than fixing. Isaiah 43 describes God sending people into someone’s difficult season, which means the counselor sitting with a grieving client, a new empty nester, or someone facing divorce is doing more than clinical work. They are frequently the visible form of a promise God already made.
What are the most common life transitions people struggle with?
Starting school, leaving home for college, beginning a career, marriage, becoming a parent, sending children off, divorce, and death. Most people will face several of these, and each one asks something different of them.