God has laid in on my heart to ponder and share a bit about the issue of transition - change - transition.. I have spent my professional life counseling with young people. And I have experienced many of the same things they have approached me about, too. Recently, a couple of younger folks contacted me with expressions of concern about the worry they had about these things - many of which amount to rites of passage for us: passing from preschool to kindergarten, from primary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to college, from college to graduate school or to a job, perhaps marriage along the way and a child or two - and many points that call for us to make important decisions along the way.
In some way, I guess this entry is directed toward my students - my young people - my counselees - my former advisees - my former recruits. If you're reading this and are do not fall into one of those categories, though, I feel you will still benefit, because we all deal with these things.
And there is an ebb and flow and a rhythm to life - and to our emotions. There are good times and there are bad. There are times when we are healthy - and there are times when we face sickness. There are times when we are emotional highs - and there are times when we feel extraordinarily depressed. There are times for young people when we have experienced no death whatsoever; we've never even been to a funeral - and then there may be times when we have to bury closed loved ones within the same year.
I want to share some things that I share with many that I have learned on these subjects as time has progressed. Many are from my own experience - and many are tidbits I've learned from men and women much wiser then myself..
1. These things are absolutely "normal" and you're not not the only one going through them. As you look around you, you may think that everyone around you seems to be having a grand time and you may be wondering "why is it that I'm the only one suffering"? You're not the only one. God's Word tells us that "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
2. There is no reason to suffer alone. Depression can be a terrible, life-altering, debilitating, thing. Here is how it is defined: "a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason". Often, counseling can help. And sometimes medication is needed for people who are in a more severe condition. The important thing to understand is that no one suffering from depression is abnormal, "weird", or should any way feel embarrassed. In times like these, I often wonder how any sane person could get by in life without being depressed from time to time. I am not a physician; the point is, if you need to be seen by one, don't wait too long without reaching out to let someone know that you need to see one.
3. If you've not experienced trouble yet, get ready. That may sound cynical, or depressing or to some, pragmatic. But the bottom line is that it's just biblical and absolutely true. Job 5:7 tells us that
"man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." It's just the nature of life. Sickness, depression, rebellion, war, job-loss, economic distress, betrayal, disloyalty, problems in relationships and death are all a part of life and we shall all experience them at some point in our lives.
4. The best way to be prepared for life's speedbumps is to be grounded in God's Word. I've said many times that people rarely find God on life's mountain tops, when things are going "hunky dorey". They're just not looking for him, because they think they don't need him. They've made their money, they've achieved success, their affairs are in order, their house is paid for, etc. etc. But when their children get sick, when they lose their jobs, when those jets flew into those buildings on Sept. 11th, surveys showed that many, many churches and chapels were filled with Americans who fell to their knees in prayer to the God of heeling and restoration. And God wants that. He welcomes that and wants us to reach up to him in bad times. But it would be good if our communication channels were open at all times - so that in good times and bad, God is our God. Romans 8:31(b) tells us "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
But what about you? You can't really do anything in a praying way unless you've done the most important thing in your life - bar none - which is to embark on a relationship - NOT a religion or a church membership - but a relationship - with the living, risen Christ. If you have not done that, click here to learn more from a trusted source: http://new.theencouragingword.org/discover-jesus
With all my love and concern for you,
Rudy Alan Cope
