GUEST BLOGGER: Dr. Anny E. Fritzen, PhD

Amber’s meditation on change reminds me that I’ve also been living in a whirlwind of change. After 24 years of formal education, my student days are now officially over. I am starting two (or maybe three or four) new jobs. And I’m getting married. Whew! Talk about fodder for an identity crisis. Who in the world is “Dr. Case” anyway? Not me. But in a few months, it will be. There’s so much I can’t anticipate, let alone imagine.

Change is hard, but change is good. Really, it’s one of the few things we can absolutely count on. The trick is figuring out how to be steady in the wind, peaceful in the heart, and faithful in the soul while also keeping yourself open to productive metamorphosis, a painfully vulnerable state. Prayer helps. Actually, prayer is a necessity during times of personal upheaval. So is meaningful scripture study, honest communication, and a sense of humor. I’ve found that ice-cream and chocolate are also great analgesics. Yet, having all these things in place doesn’t guarantee that the uncertainty won’t sometimes be terrifying, like jumping-off-a-cliff-into-unknown-waters terrifying. No wonder I so often spend way too long perched precariously on the edge of change. But that’s the fear-based perspective. The faith-based perspective presents an entirely different view. Instead of falling, we can think of the potential for flying, trusting the Lord when He says He will “bare you on eagles’ wings, and [bring you] unto myself” (Exodus 19:4).

Here’s to stepping off the edge.

To see more writing by this renowned Doctor of Philosophy, please visit her website .

*pictures courtesy of a sarcastic editor 🙂