Easing the Pain of Transition

We all go through a period of transition. When we change job, when we move to a new location, when we end and build new connections. Anyone could identify with the anxiety, the burden and even the pain of going through a life transition. 

Yesterday, I had a close encounter with two friends who were in a relationship transition. It was a gainful experience to listen and reflect upon their pain and realizations.

The first one was my college classmate. We were in a coffee shop waiting for our classmates when I started to ask her how's  the condition of her heart. She was honest enough to tell me that it's still bleeding inside. She's in deep pain when she found out that her former boyfriend had found a new one. Its been months since they ended their relationship but it seems like she's not yet over with the transition. Part of her was still hoping that someday she would gain back his love and affection. 

However, she realized that she must not be dominated by her emotion. She must move on. She must help herself. She must let go and let God bring healing to her wounded heart.

The second friend's story came as a surprise to me. I didn't expect her to open up about her own experience of pain and realizations. I sent an inquiry on her messenger about the promotional materials I was making when she said that she needed to share something that God had told her to share to me. I was surprised but I told her I'm willing to listen. She shared about the pain and confusion she's experiencing after his cyber boyfriend broke up with her. She was so hurt that his boyfriend did not fight for her and just gave up  the relationship because his mom didn't give her approval. She has loved him and was willing to work things out. But now it was all over

She could still feel the pain now but she had made the decision that she would not let it dictate her own happiness. The experienced taught her a lot of significant lessons. It helped her discovered what she is capable of. It drew her closer to God. It made her stronger inside and out.

This is the reality-we will go through different types of transition and each transition evokes and provokes different types of emotion. Some are less painful but others have left a deep wound. How then can we ease its pain?

Here are the things that might be helpful. You may add other principles, practices that you also find  helpful. Thanks

1. Don't deny the pain. Admit the hurt. It's when we are real that we experience healing.

2. Talk to a friend. Share how you feel. It's when we learn to express that we find release.

3. Give yourself a break. Rest and go for recreation. Its when we learn to play that we would learn to laugh again.

4. Embrace the change. Let go. It's when we let go that we will find freedom.

5. Trust God. Pray and obey. Its when we learn to be dependent on God that we will find the  strength to move on, face the new day with enthusiasm and live with great expectation.