Transitions often come with loss and leaving old things behind. There can be tears, chaos, and unknowns. Thankfully, there is great joy that can be found in the process of transition. Transition is the beautiful season when God strips off what is old to welcome the new.

The word transition can be defined as the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. It can also be defined as passage, crossing, or transfer.

Change can at times be hard to welcome, but if we can embrace it and allow God to lead us through it, it can be amazing.

As Ecclesiastes 3: 1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

This includes the season of transition. Let’s dig into mistakes you must avoid when in a season of transition:

MISTAKE #1: LOOKING BACK

Looking back to what was, can mean that we are not able to focus on what is ahead. The apostle Paul looked ahead and left his past behind. He didn’t allow his former life to hinder where He was going. Paul writes in:

Philippians 3: 12- 14

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Here you can see that He is forgetting and leaving the past behind. Though it can be tempting to look back when the future seems unknown, we can rest assured that God has already gone ahead of us and planned the way. Deuteronomy 31: 8 says that the Lord himself has gone before you and will be with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you, so there is no need to be afraid or discouraged.

If we go back to the story of the Israelites in Exodus, we can see that they complained and constantly were looking back to what was. The Israelites were prisoners in Egypt that God set free and now were crossing over into their promised land. Because their season of transition was nothing like they had experienced before, they started looking back and wishing they were back in Egypt.

The only problem was that Egypt was the land where they were enslaved. The Israelites allowed how they felt to dictate their view so much so that they started thinking that being a slave seemed better than the freedom God had given them.

They weren’t looking ahead because they were too busy meditating on what was. I know from experience that there are definitely moments where we can feel inclined to look back because what is ahead seems hard to see.

Even so, through changes and storms, shifting our direction from looking back to pressing forward with our eyes on Jesus is what will get us through. Sometimes it’s all about perspective. He is our anchor and will guide us. Just keep your eyes on Him. He has got you covered. 

MISTAKE #2: LOSING FOCUS

Shifting perspectives leads to the next point on what we shouldn’t do during transition and that is losing focus. In the midst of change, we can start directing our attention on to everything but Jesus. What are you magnifying? Jesus or the circumstances? When we magnify Jesus above all, everything else falls into place. Philippians 4: 6-7 beautifully describes how we can do this.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. “

Jesus is what guards are minds and Jesus is what gives us His peace that surpasses understanding. He himself said that we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these other things will be added. Peace is one of those things.

As we thank Him in all circumstances and rejoice in who He is, we will start to see things differently. Keeping our focus on Him cultivates our trust and allows us to move forward into what is to come without fear or worry.

 Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

MISTAKE #3: BEING AFRAID

The last mistake, and at times one of the biggest things that can hinder us from moving into a transition with ease is allowing fear to creep in. If we dig into fear, it can be the root to why we would look back and also lose focus. It can all come down to fearing what is to come.

The fear of the unknown is a real thing and can keep a person stagnant or motionless. You freeze in your spot and don’t move forward or backward. There is an element of being stuck. It’s a place where not making any moves is easier and quite frankly, can feel more comfortable. Moving forward can seem scary but we don’t have to be afraid.

Resting in His promises will build our strength and courage. God never gave us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. His perfect love casts out ALL fear. Fear never came from God but is a tactic the enemy tries to use to get God’s people to never move forward in confidence to do what God has intended them to do.

Read His word daily and let the Holy Spirit whisper those beautiful truths and promises over you. Allow God to strengthen you. Surrender your worries to Him because He really does care. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Stay in constant fellowship with Him and allow this season of transition to be one where you grow more in love with Jesus, your King and your Savior. Sit at His feet and feel His love flood the fear out.

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Crislenny currently resides in Colorado and loves to travel and visit different coffee shops every chance she gets! She writes, counsels and speaks all to glorify Jesus. Her passion is to empower women and help them live out their true identity in Christ. After surrendering her life fully to Jesus, things have never been the same. Some of her writings on and personal testimony can be found on setfreeonline. Crislenny is dedicated to helping others overcome cycles and emotional wounds that are hindering them to fully walk out what God has purposed for them by pointing them to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.