FACING THE FALL

As the leaves begin to turn and the crispness of fall settles into the air, I find myself – like many women - standing at the edge of change. Fall is more than a season of sweaters and pumpkin spice. It’s a metaphor for letting go, slowing down, and facing what comes next. I watch the leaves dance down in brilliant reds and golds, blanketing the ground like a reminder–change is here again. And if I'm being completely honest, that can be scary.

As women, we often feel these transitions deeply. The changing of seasons outside disturbs the seasons within us, bringing both joy and uncertainty. Maybe you're starting a new job, dealing with loss, or just trying to hold everything together under the weight of daily life. Whatever it is, change often brings its faithful companion: fear.

Sometimes, anxiety is the shadow that walks beside it. As women, we tend to continually carry our fears quietly within ourselves. While we may not speak these fears out loud, they often echo in our minds.

• “Am I really cut out for this next chapter?”

• “What if I mess up again?”

• “Where is God in all of this?”
  

Here's the thing about being a woman of faith–it doesn't mean we never face fear. It just means we know to take those fears to the One who understands them. Even Jesus felt fear so intensely His sweat became blood in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44, NKJV). He did not sin in it—but He did feel it.

There is a quiet wisdom in fall’s rhythm. The trees do not panic when it’s time to let go. They just release. They trust that this apparent ending makes room for something new. Maybe that's what real courage looks like - not the absence of fear, but surrender in spite of it.

Perhaps the fears and anxieties we face in this season are not signs that we’re failing but invitations to trust more deeply. The real question isn't whether fear will show up - it's what we'll do when it does.

God is present in every season. Scripture reminds us that, To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV). That includes a time for change. A time for letting go. A time for healing. And yes, even a time for fear—but not without hope.

God doesn't step away when the air gets cold or when our hearts are shaking. He actually draws closer. When everything feels like it's falling apart, He's holding it together. When anxiety clouds our vision, His peace breaks through like sunshine after rain. When we can’t see what’s ahead, He reminds us: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV).

Maybe you’re diving into something new—whether it's motherhood, a career change, a new city, or even a deeper walk with God. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You’re allowed to feel both excited and terrified. It's okay to miss what you're leaving while hoping for what's ahead. And through it all, you are not alone.

Let fall remind you: surrender isn’t weakness. It’s trust. And trust isn’t about knowing the outcome—it’s about knowing the One who holds it. So, breathe deep, sister. Put on that comfy sweater, light your favorite candle, watch those leaves fall. The same God who painted the gorgeous fall scenes is writing your story too–with purpose, love, and endless grace.

You are safe in His hands, even here. Even now.

Reference:

The Holy Bible: New King James Version. Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2018. 

Lurdes Marcial currently serves as the Women’s Ministry Director for the Church of God in Minnesota. Previously she has served alongside her husband, Administrative Bishop Angel B. Marcial Jr., as COG Youth Directors for Latin America and as Lead Pastors at Vertical Church. Lurdes is the mother of a beautiful little girl named Olivia and will soon welcome a second daughter, Emilia. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in Developmental Psychology with a specialty in children and family. Her love for God combined with her passion for mental health serves as a foundation to help and propel those in need.