Don’t Believe the Lie that Change Is Always Bad

I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t. I can’t do all of this change all at once.

Okay, yes, I’m being a bit of a drama queen. But the world is changing. The coronavirus has changed everything.

For me, the coronavirus has changed my schedule. I recently got an email that my college’s on-campus classes will be switched to online classes for the remainder of the semester. So I’m a bit emotional right now.

Taking online classes means goodbye dorm room. Goodbye cafeteria. Goodbye professors. Goodbye tutoring job.

And goodbye friends.

When Life Changes…

Of course, I love my family and am excited for the opportunity to spend more time with them. I enjoy eating dinner with them, watching movies with them, and catching up on life together. I’ve missed them ever since I started college.

I’m also going to miss the community I had at college. I can’t imagine not seeing my friends for the next five months—until the fall semester! It’s not a quick trip to my college, so it’s impossible to simply drive there and see my friends anytime I want.

Obviously, being the worrier I am, there are questions and concerns constantly swirling around in my mind. This change to online classes will probably have many disadvantages, like technical issues and communication difficulties. But does that mean I can claim this change will be a bad thing?

Honestly, I’ve been believing the lie that change is bad. Because change means transitioning from comfortable to uncomfortable.

Change means transitioning from an old job where you knew everything to a new job where you know nothing. Change means transitioning from having life with a significant other to being alone a lot more. Change means transitioning from an old school where everyone was your friend to a new school where no one is your friend.

So change always stinks, right?

…Don’t Despair

Sure, it’ll be odd to work on homework and listen to class lectures in my bedroom. It’ll be weird to simply walk to the fridge instead of having to go to the cafeteria for meals. It’ll take some adjustment to figure out my schedule and how long assignments will take.

But these changes that seem bad can actually be very good. Personally, I think Satan wants us to believe the lie that change is bad so that we’ll despair. Because when we despair about the changes ahead of us—and the changes currently in our midst—we give up. 

Oh, dear friends, we can’t give into despair. If we despair, then we become anxious, lose hope, and don’t bother looking for the silver lining. And there is a silver lining.

I’m going to miss the annual college banquet for juniors and seniors. I’m going to miss my younger sister’s piano performance with her class. I’m going to miss eating lunch in the cafeteria with my friends. I’m going to miss seeing my favorite older couple at church. I’m going to miss having weekly small group with one of my besties.

There are many reasons why I’m glad to be home, but there are also many reasons why I’ll miss being at college. Satan tells me that this doing-classes-online-now is a bad change. But God tells me this is a good change because He can use this adjustment in my life to adjust (aka grow) me.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 NASB)

Here’s the silver lining: The coronavirus is bigger than me and you, but the coronavirus isn’t bigger than God. I don’t want you to despair because of the changes you’re currently facing. And, since the opposite of despair is hope, please hold onto hope. Trust in the One who is greater than the coronavirus. Look for that silver lining.

And don’t believe the lie that change is a bad thing. Because God can use change to change our minds, our hearts, and our souls.