How To Deal With Change

So this past week, in getting a fever pitch created for Comic-Con, Marvel announced BIG changes to the Avengers empire. Also, this week our church had to deal with a BIG change which also has personal ramifications for me. Change can be disarming for anyone, and BIG changes can be downright nauseating. How one deals with change in a transitional phase of life can be determine much, but what does the Bible say about how to deal with the change?

You many know most of the Avengers in this pic, but introducing the new Superior Iron Man, Female Thor, and Sam Wilson (ex-Falcon), the new Captain America.

So many questions that come to mind from all of last week's changes. In the Marvel Universe:

• Will Tony Stark still be Iron Man? If so, what makes him "Superior"? Will it be a similar situation that Peter Parker/Spider-Man faced?
• Who is this new Thor? More importantly, what does OG Thor do to make him no longer "worthy" to carry Mjolnir?
• Will Sam Wilson permanently take the mantle of Captain America? What happens to Steve Rogers? And will someone become the new Falcon?

When it comes to real life and my church situation:

• Will our church stay together without a senior pastor? Who will the new senior pastor be?
• Will we use this opportunity to improve or will we implode?
• When the new senior pastor finally gets here, will I still have a job? If not, then what will my next move be?

To shed some light on the situations we look to Joshua 1.

"1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them."

A few insights:

1. Everyone experiences change: The Israelites were in a state of major change and transition with Moses, whom the Bible describes as unmatched as a prophet, just dying, leaving the nation in a state of confusion and worry.
2. The Lord trains us personally or through the example of others for experiences that will come later: The Lord tells Joshua that he is the new leader. Joshua was established as the commander of the Lord's army so he knows a thing or two about trudging on through adversity. He also has had years of being able to observe Moses, who met with the Lord as often as he could through prayer. 
3. It's not wise to go through change alone: God tells Joshua that he and all the people should get ready to cress the Jordan River. Times of change and transition aren't meant to be traversed alone, but together with others, preferably loved ones.
4. You can't just pray and expect God to do everything: God promises Joshua He will give to Joshua everyplace where he places his foot. But Joshua still has to place his foot there. The Lord is all powerful and wants always to give His children the best, but that doesn't relieve us of all responsibility. We must also step out in faith and obedience.
5. He is always faithful, and He will always be with us: God promises Joshua that He will be with them as He was with Moses, and that He will never leave them or forsake them.

Are you going through a time of change and transition? What do you do to cope with it? Do you need prayer? Comment below. And for all of my Avengers fans out there that are freaking out about all the changes...don't. Marvel's been around for a long time and they know how to keep things interesting without completely alienating the fans. Keep reading.

Blessings~!