3 Keys to Navigating Constant Transitions

“Tradition! Tradition!” sang Tevye, in the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof. It’s one of my favorite old movies. The other day I found myself singing “Transition! Transition!” Can you hear the line from the movie’s theme song? It seems to be my missionary life theme song. 🙂

Missionaries who handle transitions well not only survive. They enjoy their lives as cross-cultural Kingdom workers. Those who don’t learn to navigate it well, struggle greatly. Most often, they will eventually leave the world of missions.

How do we learn to navigate transitions well?

Living in Transition

A few years ago when I first wrote this article, I was living in the basement of my daughter’s house. The week prior, we were in my husband’s sister’s basement. In the coming week, we would go to visit supporters in another state and experience yet another living situation. Now, as I revise and update this article, I am preparing to pack again. An unexpected family emergency means we are getting on a plane to go back to the USA tomorrow night. We don’t yet know for sure where we will stay. Not much has changed. Transition is the constant.

The nagging uncertainty can be unsettling if I let it be. At times like this, I turn to Jesus, my stability and solid rock. Apart from the security I find in Him, I could not survive the constant changes of my missionary life.

Here are a few things I’ve been thinking about that help me in times of transition.

3 Keys to Navigating Transition

1) Embrace rather than resist it.

You can choose to embrace or fight transitions. What do I mean by that?

There’s a choice to make. You can accept or resist the changes you are facing. In my life, it’s a conscious choice I need to make, sometimes several times a day. “This is my life. I’ve chosen this life. Transition is part of it. I accept and embrace this,” I tell myself.

When I’m washing cloth diapers in a bucket in a cheap Indian hotel, I choose acceptance. If I am packing up the suitcase yet again, I refuse to voice complaints that arise in my mind. Instead, I pray, “God, thank you for allowing me to be where I am today. Let me be a blessing. Help me to receive what You want to give me in this place and situation. Allow me to bless my family and those around me here as well.”

That is what it means to embrace transition. Fighting it? That’s when you allow the internal struggle (that inevitably will be there) to dominate your thoughts.

2) Maintain a few key routines.

In times of transition, our natural routines are disturbed. We are creatures of habit. This is part of what keeps us stable and sane. When you throw out all your routines for an extended period of time, life will feel like it’s in shambles.

I’ve found it helpful to choose a few key routines that I can do anywhere. These, I refuse to give up, no matter what my circumstances. My times with the Lord are one of those routines. In any new place I find myself, I quickly establish my “quiet time spot” – the place where I connect with God. It may be in a field under a tree. Or in a bathroom or corner of the hotel room, but I’ve got my spot. I go there the same time each day to talk to Jesus and receive His strength.

Other less “spiritual” routines matter too. Morning coffee is one of mine. No matter where I am, I have my morning coffee routine. Prayer with my husband before we sleep is another. What routines do you take on the road and do anywhere you happen to be?

3) Practice gratefulness.

At a funeral service l once attended, they said of the amazing woman who had passed away, “She never complained.” I wish I could say that of myself. I’ll be honest. I’m not quite that disciplined. There are times when I let my frustration out and like Job, complain heavily to God. Sometimes to others too. Honestly, sometimes I think it’s okay to complain. The Biblical term for this is lamenting.

Transitions often involve an element of grief and loss. You are moving on from one thing, and into something else. It’s okay to let yourself feel that loss. Even to complain to a safe person and to God. Getting stuck in complaining mode is not helpful, however. It will destroy your joy and that of those around you.

Times of change carry hidden blessings if we look for them. Focus on those. Remind yourself of them.

• Are you getting to explore a new place?
• Learn a new skill? Meet new and interesting people?
• Discover a new aspect of God’s character?
• What is the treasure to be found in this transition?

Keep a thankfulness journal. Speak out what you are grateful for to those around you. Appreciate the people around you by telling them what you like about them. Gratefulness is a powerful tool in our arsenal. It helps us to fight the discontentment that looms when we are in transition.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thess 5:18 NLT

Think back to the last transition you went through. What did you do well? What could you improve on next time?

Do you have other keys to navigating transitions you’d like to share?

We’d love to hear about them in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.