the opposite of transition is stuck

By Kermit Rowe
​Encompass Relationship Facilitator

​Transitions are often difficult because they require change. And change … well, it can be the most difficult thing to do. But why? Why is change so difficult? Why does the word “transition,” which is the theme of this month’s blogs, tend to bring about internal stress?

Often, fear plays a big part in creating stress before or during a transition. We teach at Encompass Connection Center that 85 percent of the things we worry about never happen. That’s statistically proven, and a lot of emotional energy was wasted on nothing! Fear of the unknown can also be paralyzing. Many times, change can take time. And let’s face it: Preparing for the unknown … well, it’s hard to know what to do when you don’t know where you are going!

That’s why faith is so comforting. In the Bible, Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Since God’s ultimate purpose is that we answer His call to become His children, giving our lives over to Him is the great stress reliever, a powerfully freeing release from the cares and worries of this temporary life. Fear is the opposite.

Fear of failure will make transition more difficult as well. Failure can hurt our self-esteem, and if we’re honest our pride. But we must ask ourselves: When have we learned our greatest life lessons, in success or failure? Most of the time, it’s the latter. So why fear it when we know we can learn the most from it?

There are other roadblocks to and during transition, like:
- Impatience: We want it now, or else we tend to get discouraged.
- Lack of clarity: There are no guarantees that the transition will bring about an improvement.
- Comfort: We may prefer predictability and routine, believing that they bring a sense of safety.
Then there’s too much change at once; if we manage to change and it fails, we feel it will lead to more failure; pushing too hard just “to get it over with” which leads to mistakes that can sabotage great ideas… the list can go on and on.

But perhaps the greatest risk in not seeking or fearing transitions is this: The opposite of transition is “stuck.” This is where none of us want to be, but too often find ourselves. In my experiences as a long-time pastor and counselor as well as personally, I have come to understand that we are made to move – even if that movement doesn’t initially bring the success we wanted.
If our bodies aren’t moving, what happens? We gain weight, sacrifice endorphins, and the next thing we know, we can get a disease – a dis-ease, which is the opposite of ease. Don’t “dis” my “ease!”
If our minds get stuck, often depression can follow. And if we get stuck spiritually, we’re prime targets for the attack of Satan.
The most repeated command in the Bible is “Fear not.” If we apply that to our lives, transitions will be easier and we can avoid getting stuck.