A Season of Transition: Moving to a New Place or Starting a New Job

I don’t know about you, but I have a love-hate relationship with transition. Take the yearly seasons for example. My spirit soars at the idea of longer days and time off as spring slips into summer. Yet I dread the blasts of heat that signal hot summer is on the way. If I am honest, the changing seasons aren’t the only transitions that spark love and hate.

Two big ones come to mind: moving and starting a new job. Both are processes that can be thrilling and daunting. Many details need to be handled. Outside forces often bring extra emotions into the mix. These events can be exciting when driven by positive situations or debilitating when driven by negative ones.

Change with both types of transitions involves your entire being — spirit, mind, and body — and can become spiritually, mentally, and physically depleting. Consider using a three-step approach in each area: be honest, seek help, and plan.

Spiritual Needs

Use this approach to address your spiritual needs:

- Be honest with yourself and with God. Express your real thoughts and emotions regarding your spiritual state. Pray. Tell God all of it. He is ready to listen and move in your life.
- Seek help “from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2 NIV). No matter the issue, our all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful Lord can handle it. Remember Daniel in the lions’ den and David facing Goliath? Both counted on the only One who could actually deal with their overwhelming situations — and He did!
- Plan ahead by establishing a firm foundation. Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This verse gives us an outline to follow, and verse 7 details the results that happen. Take all your emotions, concerns, feelings, and stressors to God.

Mental Health Needs

Use this same approach to address your mental health needs:

- Honestly identify what is driving your thoughts and choices. Use Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 as a tool: “whatever is true … noble … right … pure … lovely … admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Change can be difficult, and it is OK to acknowledge that. In fact, recognizing your complicated feelings can better enable you to take those feelings to the Lord and let His Spirit bring His soothing balm. A way to further “think about such things” is to reframe your situation. Instead of thinking, “I hate everything about this move,” say, “Now I have the opportunity for deep cleaning.” In the case of a new job, switch from complaining, “I hate that my commute has changed,” to saying, “Wow, my new commute doesn’t include the road with the potholes.”
- Seek help by identifying your support system. This may include medical or mental health professionals. If you have a friend network, lean into them during this process. Talk through your thoughts, emotions, and needs. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, which sums up the advantages of not facing life alone: “Two are better than one …. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
- Develop a plan of action for your transition with your support network. It may be a simple checklist of “must-do” items or a sophisticated color-coded binder. Wherever your plan falls in that range, it will be your strategic weapon against becoming overwhelmed and exhausted. You have it; now follow it.

Physical Needs

Don’t neglect your physical needs:

- Be honest with yourself about what you can physically do. Arrange for help with packing, cleaning, and moving. Remember your body needs good quality fuel to keep you healthy during this process. That means acknowledging your junk food craving but choosing better fuel for yourself.
- Don’t try to do everything yourself. Whether you’re moving to a new home or starting a different job, you will need help, so ask for it. This can be with physical labor, meal provision, or mental health breaks. Remember our “cord of three strands” from earlier — ask!
- Follow the plan you have developed. The plan should cover all areas of your health. It is in place as a toolbox to make this transition more manageable, so use it. Keep in mind that some tools are active — like hiring movers — and some are passive — like an early bedtime. Both kinds of tools are needed in the process.

As always, give yourself some grace. Transitions can be hard, and your feelings are real. Taking care of yourself during this time is invaluable to your well-being.

Gina Smith has been crazy about missions ever since she was a Sunbeam. One of her greatest joys in life is teaching people about Jesus and doing hands-on missions. She has been a missions educator since her early teens and has written for WMU for 18 years.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat a mental health condition. We encourage you to follow up with your health-care provider and seek a mental health professional for individual consultation and care.