New roommate. New living space. New classes. New friends. “New”—a word used to describe the start of every school year. Yet with this newness that comes about, how are we, as children of God, able to find peace in environments that change so frequently?

College freshmen are familiar with the concept of newness as they encounter the concept of leaving home, leaving their family, making new friends, and living with a potential stranger. The rest of us, who may be rounding our second, third, fourth, or fifth years in college, still experience newness each year as well. Each year, whether you’re currently a student in college, a married person, a parent raising children, or a professional working a full-time career, life changes, and with that change of pace comes a change of peace. Often, it is difficult to maintain peace in a world that so rapidly evolves and varies.

Yet as children of God, how are we meant to embrace, accept, and deal with change? And perhaps most importantly, how can we embrace change and understand God’s plan for us in the midst of it?

Diving into what God’s Word says about change and peace, here are a few verses that expound upon this idea a little more.

– Hebrews 13:8 proclaims “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (ESV), and assures that no matter how we may change, our Savior does not. Our Prince of Peace is constant, sure, and unchanging, providing us with a steady anchor amidst the rocky seas of change.

– Isaiah 43:19 states “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,” (ESV). God promises to be with us, as He promised in verses 3 and 4 in this chapter of Isaiah. With that in mind, God highlights the new thing He will be doing! Even amidst the change we may be experiencing, God is good, and doing a new thing.

– Romans 12:2 most famously says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” (ESV). Change is hard, and most people react to it with disdain and or disappointment. One way we as children of God can embrace change and seek wisdom throughout change is to ask for a new mindset. We must strive to pursue this mindset, to continuously seek renewal in this mindset, and ask for God’s strength in renewing this mindset.

Changing pace may prove to be difficult, but thankfully, we are equipped with the absolute truth—a truth that is constant, steady, and the source of peace.