Healthy Transitions
Pastor Robert Herber
August 18, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Personal Story:
Brother-in-law (former college roommate) shares the emotional difficulty of his son leaving for college.
Contrast: The son is only moving 15 minutes away, but the emotional impact was profound.
Personal experience: The preacher’s son moved all the way to Chicago, triggering unexpected emotions, from memories of childhood to feelings of overwhelming loss.
Main Topic:
The need to understand and navigate healthy transitions in life.
Reference to Pete Scazzero’s podcast, "The Emotionally Healthy Leader," inspiring a deeper reflection on how to manage transitions well.
Transitions are a Part of Life
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: There is a time for everything under the heavens.
Life is full of transitions, from joy to grief, building to tearing down, etc.
Key Point: Transitions are a normal and expected part of life, often out of our control, but they are orchestrated by God.
Biblical Transitions:
Adam and Eve: Transition from the garden due to sin.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: Generational transitions.
Israel: From Egypt to the desert to the Promised Land.
David’s life: Multiple transitions (fields to palace, shepherd to king, marriage to grief, etc.).
Jesus’ life: From childhood to carpenter, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension.
Current Church Transition
Church Examples:
Moving from City Heights to La Mesa: Excitement for a new building but mourning leaving the old space.
Loss of long-time staff members and the arrival of new staff.
Entering an "adult stage" as a church: Ownership of property, new responsibilities, and expanded ministries.
Four Ways to Do Bad Transitions
Burning Bridges: Leaving a job or situation with hostility, causing damage to relationships.
Acting Out of Anger: Resisting God's call or changes, leading to frustration (e.g., Jonah).
Stalling Out: Failing to finish strong during transitions, like coasting toward the end of a season.
Being Egotistical: Wanting things to fail after you leave, so you look indispensable.
How to Do Healthy Transitions
Recognize the Time You're In:
Acknowledge the season of transition and ask God for wisdom (1 Chronicles 12:32).
Application: Spend time with God and community to discern your current season.
Acknowledge the Transition Out Loud:
Example from Jesus: He often explained to His disciples what was coming next (Matthew 16:21).
Speaking it helps others understand and prepare emotionally, and allows them to support you.
Emote (Express Emotions):
The Psalms are full of emotional expressions (Psalm 42).
Application: It’s healthy to express emotions appropriately, whether through prayer, conversation, or journaling.
Give Yourself Time:
Don't rush through a transition. Allow yourself time to process, recover emotionally, and reflect.
Reflect on the Season:
Give Thanks: Acknowledge what God has done in the past season.
Learn Lessons: Ask God to teach you from what you’ve gone through, so you don’t repeat mistakes.
Listen to God: Ask questions, sit quietly, and record what He speaks.
Let Go of the Past Season:
Embrace the new season by releasing the old (Philippians 3:13-14).
Example: Abraham had to leave Ur, David had to leave the fields, and the disciples had to leave their old lives.
Wait on God for the Next Season:
Be patient and trust God’s timing (Psalm 40:1).
Don’t make impulsive decisions out of fear or impatience.
Take Bold Steps Forward:
Example from Joshua 1: After Moses’ death, Joshua had to lead the people boldly across the Jordan during flood season.
Application: In times of transition, step forward in faith, trusting God to lead and provide.
Conclusion
Key Message: Transitions are inevitable, but handling them with wisdom, patience, and reliance on God will lead to growth and blessing.
Call to Action: Reflect on your own transition and ask, “What is the next bold step God is calling me to take?”
Biblical References
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: This passage is used to highlight the reality of different seasons in life, emphasizing that transitions are a part of God's plan and timing.
1 Chronicles 12:32: The verse about the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, is mentioned to encourage the importance of recognizing and understanding the transitions we face.
Matthew 16:21: This verse is cited to show how Jesus prepared His disciples for His transition to Jerusalem, where He would suffer, die, and be resurrected.
Psalm 42:3-4: David’s emotional expression in this psalm is used to encourage the congregation to be honest about their emotions during transitions, acknowledging the importance of processing feelings.
Proverbs 9:9: This verse is referenced to emphasize the importance of learning from past experiences and applying those lessons to future transitions.
Philippians 3:13-14: Paul’s teaching about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead is mentioned to encourage letting go of the past and moving forward in faith during transitions.
Psalm 40:1: The verse about waiting patiently for the Lord is used to stress the importance of waiting on God for guidance during transitions instead of rushing into decisions out of fear or anxiety.
Joshua 1:1-6: This passage, where God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, is used to encourage taking bold steps of faith during transitions, even when the timing seems challenging.
Reflection Questions
What transition are you currently facing, and have you acknowledged it to yourself and those around you?
Reflect on whether you’ve recognized and communicated the changes happening in your life.
How can you invite God into your current transition to help you understand the season you are in?
Consider ways to seek God’s wisdom and guidance during this time of change.
What emotions have you experienced during this transition, and how have you expressed them?
Reflect on whether you have allowed yourself to process these emotions in a healthy and constructive way.
Are there any aspects of the past season that you are holding onto that may be preventing you from embracing the new one?
Think about what you might need to release in order to move forward.
What bold step of faith do you believe God is calling you to take as you move into the next season?
Reflect on how you can courageously step into what God has for you, even if it feels daunting or uncertain.
Daily Activities
Monday: Recognize the Season of Transition
Activity: Spend 15-30 minutes in prayer and reflection, asking God to reveal what season of life you are currently in. Write down any impressions or thoughts that come to mind.
Application: Use 1 Chronicles 12:32 as inspiration and consider how you can discern the time you're in. Share your reflections with a close friend or family member.
Tuesday: Acknowledge and Share Your Transition
Activity: Have a conversation with a trusted friend, mentor, or family member about the transition you're going through. Be open and honest about the emotions you’re experiencing.
Application: This is your opportunity to speak out loud what you're going through, like Jesus did in Matthew 16:21. By sharing, you’re inviting others to support and pray for you.
Wednesday: Emote and Journal Your Feelings
Activity: Set aside 20-30 minutes to write in a journal about the emotions you're feeling during this transition. Let it be a space where you express your joy, sadness, fears, or gratitude.
Application: Use Psalm 42 as a guide, allowing yourself to feel the emotions deeply and giving them to God. Remember, expressing emotions in a healthy way brings healing and clarity.
Thursday: Reflect and Give Thanks
Activity: Spend time reflecting on the past season of your life. Write down 5-10 things you are grateful for and what God has taught you during that time.
Application: As you reflect, think about the lessons God wants you to carry into the next season. Like Philippians 3:13-14, focus on what you need to release in order to embrace the new.
Friday: Take a Bold Step of Faith
Activity: Identify a bold step you feel God is calling you to take in this new season, whether it’s a decision, a change in attitude, or an action step. Commit to taking that step today or making a plan to do so.
Application: Following Joshua 1:1-6, step forward in faith even if it feels intimidating. Pray for courage, and ask God to lead you as you move ahead.
By doing these activities each day, you’ll be actively applying the sermon’s principles of navigating transitions with faith, patience, and wisdom.
