The reality didn’t hit me until I was on the plane, flying over the ocean to live in a country I’d never stepped foot in before. My first day in England, I was too afraid to leave my empty apartment. Instead, I consumed a soggy ham and cheese airplane sandwich and used sweaters as bedsheets.

The next day, I woke up alone, thinking I was home—only to find myself still living in a foreign country. All my friends and family now lived over 3,000 miles away.

Let’s face it: change is scary.

During daunting life transitions, I tend to ignore my fears. I’ll be fine, I tell myself. People have done much more frightening things.

Sometimes, it works. I dive right into my new job, settle into the new apartment, adjust to shifting relationships with ease.

This was not one of those times.

I was in England accomplishing my dream—but I felt miserable, lost and frightened.

Have you ever started something new and discovered it to be harder than you ever imagined?

Maybe your marriage isn’t what you thought it would be. Perhaps parenthood feels impossible to do well. Or maybe you landed your dream job, only to discover that you want to pursue a different career. Regardless, you feel like you’ve lost all sense of control. You thought you knew what the future held, and reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

In these moments of fear, God promises to take care of you.

He took care of me in England. I left my empty room, found friends and discovered a place to call home. He will take care of you, too.

When a new season in life seems to promise nothing but stress and fear, you can turn to the Scripture for encouragement and wisdom. Here are some verses that have helped me during rough transitions—I hope they help you, too:

1. Hebrews 4:16 (GNTD)

Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

2. Psalm 18:2 (GNTD)

The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe.

3. Proverbs 3:5 (GNTD)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.

4. Deuteronomy 31:8 (GNTD)

The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.

5. Romans 15:13 (GNTD)

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.