When I experience a season of change, I often find myself trying to problem solve through everything rather than slow down and take things as they come. Around this time a couple of years ago, I resigned from teaching. Since then, I have found myself in an ongoing season of transition, one that has prompted deep reflection.

Recently, I read a devotional that helped me reframe this season in my life. Instead of letting my circumstances ensare me, I am beginning to see this season as an invitation for growth. Growth that I probably would not have been open to if I was still teaching full-time. To be honest, a lot has happened over the past two years. Started my doctoral journey in 2023 while teaching part-time on top of other commitments had me stressed and pressed. So the decision to resign from teaching all together left me feeling some type of way. I probably should have resigned earlier, but to be honest, it really did take me half a year to surrender and be at peace with not teaching anymore, at least not in secondary school.

Grounded in the Word

The devotional I read included this passage from Jeremiah 17:7–8, which offered me a grounding perspective: 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

This passage became a lens through which I began to interpret the instability I was experiencing, not as punishment, but as a pathway to deeper trust. I thought I trusted God. But this change had me questioning myself.

• Do I really trust God, especially now when I don’t have a full-time salary?
• Do I really trust God when we’re bringing in less than what we’re used to?
• Do I really trust God when I do not understand?
• Or do I only trust God when life’s moving in the way I want? Or in a way that makes sense to me?

A Shift I didn’t Expect

In 2023, my husband and I had just been married for three years. Before that, I was quite comfortable, living my best life as a single woman, serving at home, in our family ministry, and in the teaching profession. I could afford to buy what I wanted. I was not wealthy, but on top of helping at home, I had myself sorted.

Now, this was new for me. I started feeling anxious and fearful of the what-ifs. Even though we had more than enough to cover our necessities, I was so used to life moving in a certain way. I had to loosen my grip on some of the things I was used to. This was the change I didn’t expect, the shifts in my mind and heart I was not prepared for.

The Messy Middle

My transition from being a full-time teacher to a full-time student came with a mix of emotions: grief for what was lost, denial of what was happening, hope for what could be, and uncertainty about what was next. The devotional described this as the “messy middle“, you know, the space between what was and what will be. It’s not tidy. It’s not linear. To be honest, it was a headache and a half!

Yet, it is here that my faith was challenged and solidified. I found myself in that middle ground, unsure whether to cling to the past or reach for the future. I kept thinking about how life used to be, yet felt pulled forward to consider what could be. I kept saying to myself, even now, short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain. This was not new. I came from the struggle. This was nothing compared to what our family has overcome. This was though, a different kind of hard that I needed to learn how to navigate and overcome with my own little family.

Shifting Ground

Still, instability can feel like standing on shifting ground. Many times, I had to cheer myself on and turn to God in prayer. During these moments, I often asked: What does this mean? Why now? 

Some days I welcomed the change, believing it was necessary. Other days, I resisted it, longing for the comfort of familiarity I was used to.

However, I learned that instability is not just circumstantial, it is deeply personal. It reveals what we rely on, what we fear, and what we hope for. The devotional challenged me to see instability not as a threat, but an opportunity to learn. It led me to sit with the discomfort and listen. And honestly, I could not do that while teaching. I needed to be a student, not just in my studies, but in God’s Word and what He was teaching and revealing to me during this season of change.

Where is Your Foundation

One of the most revealing questions from the devotional was: Where is your foundation? Where do you find your identity? I had to admit, much of my confidence was placed in things that were now shifting: my roles, my routines. As those things changed, I felt exposed. Not necessarily to others, but to myslef. But that exposure was not meant to shame me. It was an invitation, to go deeper in my trust in the Father.

As I responded and continued to seek God, my faith, values, and community became anchors. My time with God, family, and with my brothers and sisters in Christ began to shine in a different light. Not perfect, but present. I leaned into prayer, into Scripture, and into conversations with trusted invidividuals. Slowly, I began to rebuild my confidence, not on what I could control, but on who God is.

Grounded in the Promise

Jeremiah 17:5–8 paints a vivid contrast: those who trust in human strength are like shrubs in the desert, while those who trust in God are like trees by water. This imagery spoke to me. I did not feel like a flourishing tree, I felt dry and brittle. But the promise was not about how I felt; it was about who the object of my faith was. Trusting God gave me peace in the midst of it. I began to see that being “blessed” in seasons of change does not mean being comfortable, it means being connected. Connected to the One who sustains, even when everything else shifts.

Grace In the In-Between

Acceptance of these lessons did not come all at once. It has been two years since I resigned from teaching. Yet God is faithful in teaching me through quiet prayers, unexpected encouragement, and gentle reminders that I was not alone. God’s grace showed up in people who listened, in Scripture that spoke directly to my heart, and in the Spirit’s inner peace that slowly replaced my worries, fears, and stress. Over time, I stopped fighting the change and started walking with it. This acceptance did not mean I had all the answers. It meant I was willing to trust God through the process, even when it was messy.

As I look back, I see that this season of change was not just about transition; it was about transformation. The devotional made me reflect on my journey and realise that I really needed to slow down and be kind to my mind and body. For so long, I was on the go, go, go, that it has taken me two years to really slow down and be at peace with this season of change. God graciously and patiently reminded me who I am through Christ and that my confidence comes from Him, not from my circumstances, roles, routines, or abilities. I needed to let go of what I was used to and embrace the opportunity I have now; to enjoy slow mornings, prioritising my well-being, and learning to be calm and fully present in the spaces I am in, etc.

A Word of Encouragement

For anyone experiencing this space in between, I invite you to reflect on the following questions:

• What season are you in?
• What might God be inviting you to release or embrace?

If you are going through a season of change, you may not have clarity yet, but you are not alone. Seek God through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with others. Even when everything shifts, ask Him to keep your faith grounded in Him, and to teach you how to trust Him, even when you do not understand.

With love and prayers,

Ella