It can be a tricky time of year. The summer is drawing to a close, the nights are getting darker and many of us are facing change. Change can often produce anxiety in us and leave us feeling like we can't cope very well.
Children will be heading off to new schools, students moving away to university, and for the rest of us, there may be new jobs or other new circumstances...
It's easy to be overwhelmed by the anxiety that change can bring. When we face these feelings, we can resist being overtaken by them by spending some time with scriptures that can speak to us.
Here is a list of ten Bible passages that may help you in the midst of a season of change and uncertainty.
James 1: 2-4
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
Matthew 6: 34
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Proverbs 3: 21-25
My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Psalm 55: 22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Psalm 3: 3-6
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah... I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
Psalm 30: 4-5
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment; His favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
John 14: 27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Matthew 28: 18-20
Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'
1 John 5: 14
And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.
