January Book of the Month

Change is tough—honestly, that’s an understatement.

I remember being in my late 20s, thinking, "this is it. I have great friends, I love where we live, and I’m passionate about the ministry God’s called me to". I imagined I’d keep doing this same thing for the next 50 years. Looking back now, I laugh and think, "Wow, I was so naive". Though I haven’t experienced as much change as some of you have, the past 10-15 years have brought a fair share of it—both big and small. And with many of those changes, I found myself struggling internally. I knew what the “right thing to do” was, but I felt disoriented, sad, and at times, discouraged by the transitions God had brought into my life.
About three years ago, one of my closest friends in ministry recommended a book to me. And not in the casual, “You’ve got to read this!” way, but more like, “Drew, I know you, and I know you need what this book offers. We’re meeting in six weeks, and we’re going to talk about it.” (Side note: find friends who love you enough to tell you what you need to read!)

This book truly changed my perspective. Written by William Bridges, it gave me the language to express how I was feeling and provided a roadmap for navigating seasons of change. While not a Christian book, God used it in a powerful way to stretch and grow me. Of course, as with anything not explicitly grounded in Scripture, I read it through the lens of the Gospel. For example, Bridges talks a lot about self-discovery, and while growing in self-awareness is important, we must remember that we are not the ultimate authority in our lives—God is.

Finally, I know that many of you are, or will be, facing major transitions in your own lives. As we begin 2025, we don’t know what God will bring our way, but I bet for some of you, some form of change (relational, career, etc) is on the horizon.  My prayer is that God uses this book, or whatever tools you need, to help you walk through these changes in a healthier, more grounded way.

Things I loved from the book:

1. The Clear Distinction Between Change and Transition: 
One of the most powerful concepts in the book is the distinction between change  (external events) and transition (the internal process we go through as we adjust to those events). This insight immediately reframes how we think about life’s ups and downs, helping us understand that while change can be sudden or external, the internal emotional and psychological journey is what really defines how we experience it. This distinction brings clarity and offers a more compassionate way to view transitions.  And, as Christians, it allows us to ask what God is doing through the transitions in our lives.

2. The Three-Phase Model (Endings, Neutral Zone, New Beginnings) 
Bridges’ simple but profound three-phase model— Endings, Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings —provides a concrete structure to the often chaotic and disorienting experience of transition. I loved how each phase is explained with such empathy and insight.

• Endings feel difficult, but understanding that it's ok to mourn and let go of what’s being lost brings a sense of validation.  Simply put, we need to learn how to end something well.
• The Neutral Zone was especially meaningful to me—it's that space of uncertainty and discomfort, but also a time of possibility and creativity, even if it feels awkward at first.  For me, this is a time to lean into with God, though my flesh wants to cruise right through this phase and into New Beginnings.
• Finally, New Beginnings inspire hope and energy for what lies ahead, reinforcing that transitions are not just endings, but opportunities for new starts.

3. Psychological Depth and Emotional Sensitivity
Bridges has a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges of transitions. He doesn’t just offer a superficial "this is what you need to do" guide; he explores the deeper emotional currents that run beneath every life change. This emotional sensitivity is one of the things I loved the most about the book. It’s reassuring to know that feelings of fear, doubt, or grief during transitions are normal—and not signs of failure.  I was over reminded of Ecclesiastes!

4. Comfort and Validation
In a world where we’re often expected to "move on" quickly after change, Bridges emphasizes that the emotional and psychological process of transition takes time . This is a major comfort. I appreciated how he normalized the messiness and non-linearity of transition, helping me feel less alone and more accepted in whatever phase of the transition I was in. The book made me realize that struggling or feeling lost during a transition is not only okay, but part of the process.  This really changed the way I heard many of the Psalms!

5. Sense of Hope and Possibility
Finally, what I loved most about the book is that it ends on a note of hope . While the earlier phases of transition—especially the Neutral Zone—can feel difficult, Bridges highlights that with time, the discomfort gives way to new beginnings. He reframes the sense of loss as an opportunity for  renewal.  The future can be bright, even if it’s unclear at the moment, and embracing change becomes a powerful way to shape a meaningful life.  God promises to work through our suffering…this promise brings us HOPE!

SUMMARY:
In summary, Transitions is a deeply insightful and compassionate book that I believe everyone can benefit from, particularly during times of uncertainty. It gave me not only practical tools for managing change but also emotional reassurance that transitions are natural, albeit challenging, parts of life. The timeless wisdom in the book helped me view change less as something to fear and more as something to embrace, even if it comes with discomfort.

Grace and peace, 
Drew