One of the challenges of transition is understanding how to exit one phase or stage of life and enter the next one. Jesus was tested in the wilderness while going into His ministry and tested even more in Gethsemane when transitioning out.
You are the most vulnerable during strategic times of transition.
There are 3 powerfully clarifying questions we’ve learned to use in times of transition:
- “WHO will I need to BE NOW, that I’ve never been before?”
And the next key question:
- “WHAT will I need to DO NOW that I’ve never done before?”
Which leads to the ultimate question: In light of who I need to be and what I need to do…
- “WHO will God be for me now that He has never been before? What aspect(s) of God do I need to draw upon?”
Now, what does this mean?
- You must tap into parts of yourself never previously developed. The moment you enter into a real transition, one in which the phase of your life is going to shift, you’ll really have to show up in a whole new way. This means tapping into everything you’ve ever learned and everything you’ve ever done. You’re exercising new muscles, new awareness; you’re exploring new space. It’s the extension of your authentic self. It’s your heavenly identity at a whole new level. It’s a place you’ve never been before. Give yourself permission to be uncomfortable.
- You will face opposition from spiritual forces. When you begin to step into your season of transition, the spiritual world will try to lock you up in the old pattern. This is like the children of Israel trying to cross over into the Promised Land. There was a very real demarcation between where they were and where they were going. Only after they made the shift would a new beginning unfold. What was it that inhibited that transition? It was the old habits that didn’t die in the wilderness! What was waiting for them? A land of prophetic promises; their Promised Land.
How does the devil attempt to hold you back from transition? He does this by imposing outside resistance from some source aligned with his evil intent. This could be political, legal, or even occultic. But this is not an easy option for the devil and requires a lot of resources. Satan would much rather have you self-disqualify. He will aim his arrows at you personally. He will bring up your history, your old patterns, old fears, and old iniquities. Sometimes the very people you need to avoid start crossing your path.
Jesus warned His disciples to “watch.” This word involves watching what is coming up in you as well as what is developing in the environment around you. He is sympathetic to your battle, which is why He told His disciples to pray because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
This could be translated as “Your spirit man wants to do the right thing but your emotions and your untrained senses will overpower your spirit. Your natural man is weak. Fail to pray and you’ll be frightened and intimidated and will want to run.”
Friends, let nothing keep you back from your transition! “Watch” what’s coming up in you and watch what’s going on around you!
Question: Are you entering into a new season? What are some tactics that the devil is using to block you from your Promised Land? What words of the Lord are you standing on for victory? Perhaps you were previously unaware, but now your eyes are open to the importance of being on your “watch.” Comment below!
As One!
Lance
Thanks, I needed this. One question, however: since we’ve never been here before, how do we know who we’ll need to be and what we’ll need to do that’s different?
Don, if I may… It may not be the answer that’s important. The fact that your asking the question is what’s critical. Ask the question to The Lord as well as yourself and then just listen. When the time comes for you to be someone outside of your past or do something that “you normally wouldn’t do,” The Lord will tell you. Keep asking the question and keep listening and I promise, the answer will come when you need it.
Reference: 2 Cor 2:10, Phil 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3 (among many others). The Lord wants to walk with you. Strength and Honor, Grant<
When who you are and what you normally do doesn’t work (i.e. has no effect or the wrong effect), you’ll realize your need for help by way of Divine direction and guidance. Your complete trust in your Heavenly Father is of utmost importance.
Our transitions are our classroom lessons that we will continue to have as long as we are in this life.
This is awesome Lance. Thank you so much. May God’s people cross over into His glorious plan for each one of us. Yes Jesus!
I ask God and He answers in different ways. I’ll pray that God reveals/shows you too!
Thanks, Steve!
Timely message Lance, thank you. It gives me a better filter for things going on in my life right now. It’s so easy to forget that we have an enemy who wants us to fail and by forgetting I’m letting down my guard. Times are too critical to behave this carelessly. Shields up!
Awesome, Cheryl! Keep it up.
This word is extremely timely for me right now (kairos time). I have been in a life transition over the past months, and just yesterday the Lord showed me two more streams of income to add to my other two. I look forward to the day in the very near future when my income streams will actually start producing income. So the aspect of the Lord’s being that has been coming alive and real for me the past 9 months that I have been without a steady income is God as Provider. It’s been amazing to watch how He has provided for me, and it’s been so gratifying to be able to rest in that provision.
Thanks for sharing the three questions to ask during a transition. Those questions will require some time for me to ponder, meditate on, and talk with the Lord about. They ARE very powerful.
Thanks for the comments, Suzanne! It’s evident that the Lord is moving in your life in a powerful way and showing Himself strong.
Great insight Lance….
When the Lord wants us to be rid of a habit or pattern He will put His finger on it specifically. It won’t be some general vague feeling of condemnation. I have found its usually a simple step of obedience to a specific thing the Holy Spirit wants me to deal with…something very “do-able” and well within my ability to obey His voice. Funny how it can be so hard to let a simple habit or pattern go. He doesn’t overwhelm us with something that is quite beyond our ability to say “no” to. ” Its the little foxes that spoil the vine” Do I want to let a vain thing ( habit, pattern) steal what the Lord has for me? Or do I want to see His kingdom come literally into my present and future..
Thank you Lance. Absolutly true what you have said. Especially now. Im in a transistion period in my life. What I also do when the enemy tries to attack is to read and meditate on prophecies I recieved over the years and dig deeper into the Word.
Reminding yourself of promises/identity through prophecies and digging into the Word….key steps!!
Lance, question. What do you do when you know you will be going into transistion but you are not sure where or when it will take place? My job may change in the next few months but not sure. I get a sense it will. I see opportunities outside my job that could be a new door. But massive learning curve.
What do I do in the “between times”?
YAYYYY!!! Transition wisdom!!! We literally got stopped mid-stream trying to move from Nashville to FL, where we KNOW we are supposed to be!!! And to top it off – its the 2nd time it’s happened *GULP*. All I know to do is keep pushing. Keep boxing our things. Keep fixing the house to put it up for sale. (BABY STEPS!!) —- Just. Keep. Pushing. If the Father wants to stop us He can and will (if we are pushing too hard and it’s not His timing), but if it’s the enemy trying to stop us, he won’t be able to. Thanks Lance for a shot in the arm to keep on truckin’!!!!
Thank you Lance, you have spoken a TIMELY! WORD! I know that I am feeling the new from within wanting to break out. Something new wanting to manifest, but as you have stated, the old things and old habits not wanting to leave voluntarily. This is a fight for our future, the person God is desiring to see. We have to be determined and focused! God bless you Lance.
Amen, Errol!
I am 81 and in transition. I am more hungry to fulfill my purpose than ever. I am in the Moses generation of new beginnings.
So beautiful to see you are so hungry!! He will definitely show you the right doors to go through. I am 70 & will be starting Bible College this fall. I love the passion & energy that the younger generation has. I believe that we seniors have much life experience & wisdom to impart! I want the passion & fire also. Patricia King has a Facebook page called “Seniors On The Front lines” Blessings to you.
Louise
I love your passion for the next season, wow at the age of 81. I’ve been in transition the last 3 years, preparing for the next season. I’m back in school (I’m 58) and even though I have no idea what the next season holds, I know it will be good. The Lord is raising us Seniors (I qualify at the movies:) . The hardest thing for me this transition is watching the enemies tactics. It is different this time.