Braving Change: Release the Past, Welcome Growth, and Trust Where God Is Leading You

Change is hard. It can make us feel that life is out of control. In this powerful new book, my friend Andi Andrew walks us through the shifting seasons of life recognizing the hand of God even in the hardest moments. We are not alone, and we are loved.

Sheila Walsh, author and TV host

"Andi guides us to move toward acceptance and healing when we have underestimated the bravery it takes to deal with change—especially when we don’t realize we need it or understand the why behind it, or when we underestimate the impact of it on our lives. Andi reminds us that the peace, joy, and contentment promised us through our faith in Jesus Christ is possible. We are sure to see what we may not have seen before through new lenses as Andi gives us a brilliant look into facing transition in new way."

Jimmy and Irene Rollins, authors, pastors, and founders of TWO=ONE marriage ministry

Change comes into our lives whether we are ready or not. That’s probably why people don’t like it very much. But as our friend Andi reminds us, God wants us to thrive in the midst of change. Reading this book is like having a conversation with Andi, which is one of our favorite things. Don’t miss it!

Pastors Josh and Lisa Surratt, Seacoast Church

"In her new book, Braving Change, Andi vulnerably walks us through how beautiful change can be in our lives. She faces down the lie that change is all bad and instead shows us that we get to choose how we respond and who we become. As someone who has faced a lot of painful change, I found a lot of comfort and ‘me too’ moments while reading Braving Change. Through Andi’s mixture of personal stories, reflections, and focused prayers, this book is a powerful tool for anyone who is journeying through change in their life!"

Jeni Baker, co–global executive director of Celebrate Recovery

"Braving Change by Andi Andrew is the book we all need as we navigate constant change, both expected and unexpected. This transformative guide explores the art of embracing and growing through change without feeling untethered. Andi’s personal stories and profound wisdom will encourage you to welcome growth and trust the Lord through change, even when it doesn’t make sense. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to find strength, resilience, and purpose amid life’s ever-changing seasons."

Mike and Julie Signorelli, founders of V1 Church

Change inside of us and around us is inevitable. This book offers wisdom and handlebars for how to bravely navigate our changing world by holding on to Christ, our Unchanging Rock Eternal. Andi provides practical steps that help you not only rise above the challenges but grow through them.

Meshali Mitchell, photographer, entrepreneur, podcast host

"Andi is a trusted voice in my life because I know she practices the truth she writes and speaks. Braving Change is no exception. Wanted or unwanted, change is a part of the human experience. But change does come with an invitation to allow it to shape our hearts, mold our thinking, and usher us closer to the heart of God. If you’re ready to receive that invitation, I can’t think of a better resource than Braving Change or a better guide than Andi Andrew to lead you through your journey."

Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist and author of What If It’s Wonderful?

"Job promotions, a new love interest, or the birth of a miracle baby . . . some change is welcomed with open arms. But what do we do when change comes to us like a wildfire, burning away everything in its path, leaving us with the broken rubble of a dream in our hands? Andi Andrew’s new book, Braving Change, will not only help you release control in transition but also give you the courage to trust that God is in fact working together all things for your good (even when it feels like the opposite). I have watched Andi celebrate victories with a wild dance party and in other seasons lay down unfulfilled promises at the feet of Jesus with faith, tear-stained cheeks, and trembling hands. I pray that as you read these pages you can confidently know that your story is going to look beautifully different, and Andi’s words will help you find the strength you didn’t know you had."

Jessi Green, revivalist, director of Saturate Global, author of Wildfires and Saturate

Other Books by Andi Andrew

She Is Free

Fake or Follower

Friendship—It’s Complicated

© 2024 by Andi Andrew

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

Grand Rapids, Michigan

www.bakerbooks.com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-4407-6

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations labeled CSB are from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled MSG are from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Italics added to Scripture quotations are the author’s emphasis.

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To the wounded (and healing) warriors, hope-filled helpers, dedicated disciples, passionate peacemakers, and loving-yet-limping leaders, this book is for you.

Stay in the race.

Paul,

there’s no one else I’d rather brave the changes of life with. Even on our darkest days, I’m safe with you. You have consistently shown me the love of Jesus, and it has changed me for the better. I’m confident to face every twist and turn that comes our way because I’ll be facing them beside you.

Also, to Tanya and Kaylee,

you know why.

There aren’t enough pages in the world

to dedicate this book to you both adequately.

So for now I’ll just say it again: thank you.

Contents

Enbdorsements    1

Half Title Page    5

Other Books by Andi Andrew    6

Title Page    7

Copyright Page    8

Dedication    9

Introduction    13

1. The Change We Think We Want    21

2. Recognize Transition When You’re in It    37

3. The Need to Grieve and Give Yourself Permission to Change    59

4. A Time to Recover    77

5. Learning from Change    95

6. Choose to Keep Showing Up    113

7. Choose Integrity in Change    129

8. Choose Gratitude    147

9. Choose Rhythms of Rest    165

10. A Time to Rebuild    187

Acknowledgments    209

Notes    213

About the Author    217

Back Cover    219

Introduction

When you hear the word change, what runs through your mind? Do you batten down the hatches and prepare for the worst? Do you catastrophize and go down unhelpful rabbit holes? Do you map out how to control every outcome and every person? Or are you an adventurer who loves to sail the seas of change? Maybe even a chaser of change for another adrenaline hit? Or perhaps you’re running from something, making tangible changes, like moving to a new state or changing jobs, because it seems like the lesser evil, rather than addressing what needs to be dealt with. No matter the lens you look through when you view change, endings, and transitions, the absolute truth is that God is stable and constant in and through every moment of time. He is our Rock, and, spiritually speaking, wind, waves, and storms are promised—they will hit us. And when they do, we’ll find out just what we’ve built our lives on.

Change is inevitable. Take getting older, for example: Why does my body succumb to the gravitational pull when my spirit feels like it just keeps getting younger? Why do the frown lines get deeper and the laugh lines more defined? What about our kids? I’ve become the person who now tells new parents, unsolicited, Don’t blink; it just goes so fast! I often think of my parents, who’ve heard their stage of life called the sunset years, likened to a season of gazing out, taking in the beauty of a day’s end, while at the same time battling natural fears that arise, knowing death is closer than it used to be.

What about changes in our relationships? How come it seems like we never graduate from those high school feelings of trying to fit in and find our people? Oh, and then there’s the unrelenting news feed, swirling into the center of our households, thrashing at us like currents of untamed water as we try to grip onto something—anything—unsure as to whether we may drown in the cultural tide or get stronger and swim against it. I could go on . . .

As I begin to write this book, it’s the first day of my eldest son’s senior year. I’m sitting here taking a moment to myself in the early hours of the morning to write out my thoughts (and big feelings) before the whirlwind of lunch-making, breakfast-eating, and morning conversations. This will most likely be followed by my yelling, Hurry up and get in the car! before that swift yet laden-with-opportunity-for-connection school run is in progress. This is a year of change for our family—again. I’ll probably look back and read these words in the years to come and take a deep breath, remembering the highs and lows of this transitional year. Hopefully, I’ll reflect, learn, grow, apologize, encourage myself, and celebrate the goodness of God amid a life truly lived, with all its nuance, including the mundane, climactic, painful, joy-filled, shocking, and even forgettable moments.

This isn’t our first rodeo when it comes to change, and I’m sure you have experienced many changes as well. You might be smack-dab in the middle of a (joyful or painful) transition in life that you didn’t see coming, or you could be in the midst of making some big decisions, choosing change that is going to alter the course of your life. Or maybe you’ve suffered a loss that has broken your heart, and you’re left wondering how to pick up the pieces and move forward. Wherever you find yourself at this present moment, there’s a high probability that you’re holding this book in your hands because you’re either in the midst of braving change and need a friend to walk alongside you or about to embark on something new and looking for a field guide to bring along on the journey.

The truth is, life is full of change: good change, painful change, disappointing change, national change, hope-filled change, uncomfortable change, natural change, political change, necessary change, traumatic change, joy-filled change, shocking change, and of course, desired change. Change is constant, and if I’ve learned anything along the path of life, it’s that change and transition can be wonderful teachers, shaping and molding us more into the likeness of Christ. We can grow through them and rise above them, or they can take us out.

Braving change is part of life.

While the earth remains, kingdoms will continue to rise and fall. There will be wars and rumors of wars. Unstoppable pain and tragedy will ravage our fallen world, coupled with triumphant stories of hope and renewal. Our news feed will not cease until Christ returns, nor will the social commentary that comes with it. The expanding and contracting taking place on earth—the pruning, cutting off, shaking, and awakening—feel like persistent labor pangs overwhelming the senses, often causing us to either fight, fly, freeze, or fawn. We live in the now but not yet; Jesus has come to give us life and life to the full, but the enemy still prowls around like a roaring lion on our broken planet, seeking whom he may devour. Death still wreaks havoc on earth, but we are in covenant with the Life Giver, living in the tension of pain but anchored in a hope that does not disappoint us or put us to shame. And the beautiful thing is, we can grow and still live a fruitful life in and through it all.

So, how do we come out of the rubble of overwhelm and disappointment that endings and transition can bring? How do we continue to move forward and stay in love with Jesus? How do we release the past, welcome growth, and still choose to love others? How do we hold on to hope, no matter what life throws our way? How do we rise above and allow the unending turmoil around us to shape and mold us more into the likeness of Christ instead of letting it take us out? How do we trust where God is leading us when nothing looks like it used to?

The crescendo of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7 speaks deeply to me every time I read it. Jesus is concluding one of the most (if not the most) pivotal sermons ever preached, ushering in the new covenant. He doesn’t abolish the Law or the Prophets but fulfills them by His every word and deed (Matt. 5:17). He breaks down what it is to faithfully surrender our lives and follow Him in the way, from the Beatitudes to entering through the narrow gate and everything in between. Then Jesus finishes with these words:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matt. 7:24–27)

Jesus’s words still cry out to our hearts today: Don’t just listen and merely hear My words—live them! Embody them. Practice them. Build your life on them . . . on the Rock. Because change is a comin’, friend, and it won’t stop until His Kingdom fully comes and His will is completely done here on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 7:24–27 will be an anchor Scripture on the journey we’re about to embark on together. So go ahead and dig deep into the whole of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7 to gain greater richness and understanding throughout our time together. The Word is clear, and the human experience proves time and again that we’re going to walk through tests and trials. But will we build on shifting sands that will wash away when the storms come? Or will we build our lives on Christ?

In this book, we’re going to bravely face the changes we are in, have gone through, are trying to avoid, or are about to embark on. We’re not going to look away, evade, deny, or try to control what’s happening around us because we already know that we can’t. We can, however, make wise, informed, surrendered, biblical decisions as we move through change one step at a time.

We’re also going to dig deep and meditate on a key Scripture in each chapter and then reflect on different questions that require responses. These Scriptures and questions are an opportunity to get practical and map out some different choices we can make that will help us navigate the waters of change with more grace, trust, maturity, and hopefully more humility—because God knows we need it. Finally, I’ll add a guided prayer at the end of each chapter for you to pray out loud as a jumping-off point to go deeper in your relationship with God.

My prayer for you is the same as the apostle Paul’s was for the Ephesians:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,