The Challenges of Change

If I wasn’t familiar with our good old friend Change before, then I can definitely say that I have become well acquainted with it over the past year and a half. My life is drastically different to how it was at the beginning of 2015. In the past eighteen months I have got engaged, left my 9-5 job and had a slight career change, got married, moved out of my family home that I had lived in for over 20 years, moved in with my husband, worked freelance, been unemployed, did some house hunting as Mr & Mrs, taken a new job in my desired field and relocated to another continent as newlyweds. Phew, even I had to catch my breath after looking back at how intense it has been. So fast forward to the present day and it has now been three months since my husband and I packed up our home and belongings and moved to live in Ghana, West Africa. We didn’t and still don’t know how this is going to plan out but we do have a heart for the continent and it’s amazing culture so when the opportunity for me to start a job in something I loved surprisingly came up my husband encouraged and supported me to go for it; albeit the move was way ahead of what we had scheduled as an ideal time to move out of London. Nevertheless we took a leap of faith and held God’s hand to see what He had planned for us and decided to move into His schedule for our lives. The experience has taught us many things about ourselves and we are still undergoing the process that comes with change and the lessons have been many. Similar to creating new teams or being placed in new environments or relationships there are some common stages that we all go through when challenged with change…

Forming

At this point you come accustomed to the reality of the impending change and absorb the opportunities and challenges that come with it. There is an element of excitement that arises with stepping into something new and unknown. This is the same whether you’re forming a new relationship or starting a new job and with it also comes a fair dose of anxiety so it is important that we channel this energy productively and learn as much as possible about the change we are about to embark on. This stage can often last for some time and it is important that we surround ourselves with people that can speak words of wisdom and encouragement.

Storming

This stage is a bit more weathering and uncomfortable, and is probably the stage I can say that we are at presently. Suddenly the change that you were once so excited about doesn’t seem to be measuring up to what you thought it would be. You begin to face a lot of resistance and conflict. But I have come to realise that this is also the stage where diamonds are made. Pressure brings a refining to our characters that can never be received in a classroom. We build strength and endurance in these instances and unfortunately it is also the time where many people quit. It is most likely that the storm will come to try and convince us that we made the wrong decision or that this will not work out for our good; but you need to hold steadfast to the love of God and gird yourself with hope and faith. And even if your eyes faint remember that we are children of the God who walks on the stormy seas and silences the blustering winds with a single command.

Norming

Once you are through the storming stage, there comes a moment to pause and Selah as you gradually get into the swing of this new change. You begin to get more familiar with the ins and outs of this new environment, role or relationship and develop your own stride. This is a gradual process and will get better with each day so it is important not be too hard on yourself or seek perfection and a standard that is unattainable. Speak words of affirmation to yourself. Not everyone gets this far so it is something to be proud of. You stepped out in faith and immersed yourself in this new change, the journey has not been smooth sailing but the best is definitely yet to some.

Performing

At this point you will begin to see how that mustard seed of faith you planted flourishes into one of the largest of garden plants and becomes a strong tree (Matthew 13: 31 & 32). You will see how hard work pays of and start to enjoy achieving some of the goals you set yourself a while ago. As difficult as change is, it is definitely something that should be celebrated not only for what you have accomplished but more so for the better person you have evolved into because of it. Progress is impossible without change as the ex-caterpillar will confidently testify to, because it would have never known the beauty of having wings until it silenced its fear, embraced change and overpowered the challenges that came with it.