I dislike change. Plain and simple.

Some people are better at handling change than others. My husband, for example, thrives through change. He approaches new situations with a positive attitude and looks at every opportunity as a welcome challenge.

I curl into a ball and hide under the covers.

Change drives me into list-making mode. I weigh out the pros and cons of important decisions, trying to make the best choice for everyone involved. I agonize over it. I lose sleep because of it. Yes, I take the situation to God in prayer. But I don’t often trust Him with the results.

Fortunately, God’s Word gives us great guidance when we face change in our lives. So whether I’m a person who runs head-on into change or tucks my tail and runs the other way, I can learn from Scripture how to handle change like a champ. Here are three things to remember when we face change.

1. STAY POSITIVE.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT).

When entering a new situation, it’s so easy to look back at how good things were before. I’ve been guilty of this in the past when job transfers took our family to new places. Dwelling on the things we left behind clouded my view of what wonderful things waited for us in our new home. Once I learned to keep my eyes forward, my attitude toward the changes shifted from negative to positive.

2. STAY FIRM.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:19-20a NIV).

For me, the hardest part about change is the follow-through. Once I make the decision to forge ahead, I need to trust God with whatever happens. So often we second-guess our decision when things don’t work out as we thought they would. We wonder if this change was ever God’s will. But staying firm through the change will bring stability – which our families will definitely need during those uncertain times.

3. STAY FOCUSED.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV).

Even though change in life will come, God never changes. He is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” He is the One who remains constant through this unpredictable life. So as we learn to handle the changes that will come, let’s remember to hold onto our unchanging God.

Even though I may not like change, I can face it with steadfast courage today. And who knows? I just might choose to crawl out from under those covers once and for all. Let’s make a choice right now to remember the promises above when it’s time to change.