How do I find the courage to face change?

Genesis 37:28; 41:39-41So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. . . . Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, . . . You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours. . . . I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.”

Matthew 1:20, 24An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” . . . When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Romans 8:28We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Don’t become overly anxious. Sometimes change seems to be for the worse. At those times, you may feel like you’re going to fall apart. When such change occurs, remember that traumatic, unpredictable, and unfair change never trumps God’s will. Nothing takes him by surprise. No change occurs that he does not allow and that he cannot redeem.

2 Samuel 4:1When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all courage, and all Israel became paralyzed with fear.

Ishbosheth had his future tied up in a particular person—Abner—who then died, leaving Ishbosheth terrified. If you take all of your courage from another person, you will be left with nothing when that person is gone. It’s good to have friends and advisors who help you through change, but don’t forget to trust in God. He will give you the strength to go on even when circumstances collapse around you.

Genesis 46:3“Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation.”

Change will be part of God’s plan for you. What you are headed into will give you joy and satisfaction beyond your expectations. Remember, the greatest advances in life come through change.

Exodus 4:13Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Change can be scary—especially when you sense God is calling you to something difficult. To experience fear is normal, but to be paralyzed by fear can be an indication that you doubt God’s ability to care for you in the face of change. Find courage to face change by remembering that God is watching over you. He will never give you something you can’t handle.