When change knocks on my door, I know challenge is not far behind it. Whether a pleasant surprise shifts my life in a desirable direction or a painful process begins, there are plenty of adjustments to make.

Here’s a quick tour through mine.

A few weeks ago, our only child turned eighteen. I had frequent reflections of his childhood. He made constant references to adulthood.

The same week, my favorite grocery store closed its doors for good. The 30-day notice allowed me to say goodbye to cashiers I’d known for over a decade.

These events are hardly earth shattering. But they’ve caused several shifts in my mind. It’s likely you’re making some kind of adjustment too, because change comes to us all.

Eventually, something gets better or becomes worse. Someone becomes closer to us or grows distant from us. Someplace becomes familiar or becomes foreign.

It may seem discouraging to think of life this way. But each time a transition comes upon us, it’s our next season to trust God. As we do, He leads us to something greater than what we hoped for. He leads us through something we hoped to avoid.

And yet, with God, nothing changes.

Not His love…

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

Not His Word…

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)

Not His Son…

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

For all who believe, God’s consistency creates an expectancy. Better will come.

Is a recent change challenging you? Whether we see change as a delight or a disruption, we still have a choice.

We can grow in God’s grace and cling to His truth. In time, we can see how a new perspective, a new location or new interaction can enhance our way of life.

But I’ve also known other choices.

A change can result in me being stuck in my pain or swollen in pride. It happens if I allow a new development to tell me who I am apart from God’s grace. Then it’s easy to see myself based on the attitudes and actions of others; instead of being focused on my identity in Christ.

Granted some transitions are so severe, we may need help from a licensed Christian counselor or ongoing support from family and friends.

Because when change occurs, I may not have the option to change it or feel the strength to face it…

But I can grow through it and learn from it. I can get closer to God and others in spite of it.

I’m still learning how to take the next steps in my parenting journey. I continue to look for my next favorite grocery store. But it helps me to remember, the God who never changes never leaves me when change comes.