The suitcase lays open in the living room. Stacks of clothes and shoes litter the floors from the bedroom to the suitcase. Lists on the counters lay out the numerous tasks that are left to do. These are all signs that my hubby’s baseball season is coming close. Change is upon us once again.

This is our 29th season in professional baseball. We have now lived in 14 cities, in 8 states in 3 countries. You would think that this yearly change would be normal and stress-free. Each spring ends with planning and organizing for the upcoming season. Stress and anxiety try to creep their way into my mind and spirit.
How do you pack for six months without taking everything you own? One would think I had this figured out by now. I have the art of packing down to a science, but not how much to pack when leaving for an extended period of time. There are some things that are constants in this life, however, there is constant change. Change can cause my muscles to tighten and my temper to flair.

Change of teams. Change of cities. Change of weather. Change of people you are with. Change of staff. Change of living arrangements. Change of church.

Change.

Change.

Change.

The changes you face may be different than mine, but change in any form can cause the same stress and anxiety. There is one thing throughout our years in this crazy changing life that I have found that remains constant. God is always there with us and in our future.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

With us:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

In our future:
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” Isaiah 45:2

The assurance that God is with us and ahead of us gives peace beyond all we can imagine. Anxiety and stress will come. Planning and packing need to be done. God is with us! Organizing and confirming have to be done. God is in our future! Each place that change occurs God is there! Having the assurance of God’s presence turns stress and anxiety into a realistic perspective of what needs to be done. Do what you can do and leave the rest to God!

Whatever season of changes you are in, rest in knowing that God is with you. Grasping the assurance that God is already where change is taking us gives us the peace that He freely gives.