I was sitting on the floor with my daughter outside her bedroom. Her words were soft as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “Mom,” she cried, “I don’t want to turn off the light. When I do, it will be for the last time. This has been our home for ten years. I know moving is a new adventure, but I don’t want to say goodbye to all these memories. It’s too much, and it’s too hard.”

I hugged her and wiped her tears away. I loved our home too, but this move was not as hard for me. I had moved before and knew that we would find a new rhythm in our new home. Only experience and continued faith would give my daughter the perspective that change can be good. My husband and I reassured all of our kids, “We are a family no matter where we live.” We would still play board games, watch movies together, and share meals. And there would still be lots of dishes to be washed.

Recently, I’ve been studying the story of Noah in Genesis. Noah and his family experienced change like no other family on earth. Imagine starting a new life after that great flood. You’re in a new location and your family members are the only people left on earth!

Here are some essential keys to Noah’s success that we, too, can apply during our own life transitions.

Have a strong relationship with God. Genesis 6:9 says that Noah “walked faithfully with God” (NIV). When you walk with God, you get to know God. Before all the craziness of building an ark, collecting animals, and sailing in that boat for months, Noah had been faithful to the Lord. Likewise, the Lord had been faithful to Noah. This made transitioning easier. Noah knew he could trust the heart of God.

Follow God’s commands. In Genesis 7:5, we find that Noah “did all that the Lord commanded him.” Noah’s world—much like our world now—didn’t like to follow God’s laws and commands. But Noah’s obedience meant that his family’s lives were saved. Obedience positions us to receive God’s blessing.

Be patient during changes. Noah and his family must have been tired after all that time in the ark. And then, they had to wait another forty days for the waters to subside. Did Noah hastily open the door and jump out of the ark as soon as it stopped moving? No, he sent out a dove to check for dry land—not just once, but twice. He was patient, continually trusting that God was at work preparing his new home.

Look for the rainbows. New beginnings are hard and sometimes painful. Look for the good. Look to God’s promises. Look for the rainbows. “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13 NIV). God reveals His goodness and faithfulness everywhere. Look for His rainbows in the smiles of your friends, the beauty of the sunset, the laughter of a child, and the warmth of the sunshine.

I am happy to report that our new home has been a huge blessing to our family. God already knew that we would love this house. He knew that we would make new memories and see new rainbows. Most importantly, God knew that we would continue to worship our Lord, no matter where we lived.

Face new beginnings the way Noah and his family did—with confidence, trusting God’s love and faithfulness. The Lord always has good plans in store for His children.