How to Handle Change as a Christian: Finding Peace When Life Feels Uncertain

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Have you ever struggled with change? I know I have. Making the shift from high school to college, or college to the real world, for example, I was often filled with uncertainty. Thankfully, I’m not the only one to feel this way. 

The fear of change is a universal experience. Even those who welcome or adore change will face transition periods that stir up discomfort, such as career changes, grief, relationship struggles, moving, health issues, or spiritually dry seasons. Though we may trust God, change can still feel terrifying. But what if we learned to view change as a means through which God deepens our dependence on Him? What if this very uncertainty is what He uses to refine our faith and redirect us toward Him?

Why Change Feels So Difficult?

From the outside looking in, change disrupts comfort and control. Even when it’s for a good reason that we’re adapting or modifying our schedules, we’re creatures of habit. Human beings crave predictability. When we disrupt that predictability, anxiety often increases. This is why those going off to college, starting a new job, or navigating an unexpected transition may experience heightened stress and unpleasant emotions. 

According to Psychology Today, even those of us who want to change can struggle:

“As humans, there’s often this tension that exists: We crave newness, growth, and possibility, and at the same time, we want familiarity, predictability, and safety. This tends to create an internal conflict: part of us wants to evolve, while part of us wants to stay exactly where we are. This dichotomy is part of what makes change so hard.”

Hanley-Dafoe continues that 7 things contribute to this difficulty:

1. Personal history with change – No matter how you grew up, if you experienced an unpleasant memory associated with change, it will impact how you approach it in the future. 

2. Perception of change– While some people romanticize change, others dread it. It’s this disconnection between reality and dreams that causes a lot of anxiety. 

3. Change isn’t one event– Sadly, change isn’t a single defining moment, but something that happens over and over again in our lives. 

4. What is known and unknown– While there are some things we know, we can’t know everything. Our brains favor the familiar and avoid the unknown. 

5. Ego– It’s hard for us to admit that something isn’t working and needs to change. Realizing this can feel like a threat to our bodies. 

6. Perception of overhaul- Many people believe change requires an entire life overhaul. This belief can be daunting and prevent us from making even simple changes in our lives. 

7. How it’s measured– Change isn’t just dramatic results, but steady progress over time. If we measure change improperly, we will pursue it less and less. 

Beyond these 7 contributors, we know that change isn’t just familiar to us, but also to our faithful ancestors and friends. Even faithful people struggled with uncertainty, from Moses, Naomi, and David to Peter and Saul (Paul).