Forward
I remember the emotional baggage that I carried after our move to Phoenix. Even though the physical baggage I brought with me had long since been unpacked, I still had emotional baggage stuffed away that hadn't even been opened after our move. These were emotions and feelings that I needed to identify and work through in order to start over and move ahead. I struggled with comparing myself with others. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. And I struggled with the biggest one of all, loss of identity!

Step One: Identify Your Emotional Baggage
We encourage you to identify the emotional baggage tags listed below that you may be experiencing since your move. Have any of these become 'GIANTS' that are preventing you from starting over and moving ahead with your life?

Anger
Are you harboring anger because you didn’t want to move?

Bitterness
Do you feel bitter because this move has caused major changes in your life?

Comparison
Do you find yourself comparing everything to where you used to live?

Fear
Are you afraid you’ll never again feel that sense of belonging and security?

Anxiety
Are you anxious about making new friends and finding the right school, church, doctor, grocery store, cleaners, and hairdresser?

Disappointment
Is the house not what you really wanted? Is the job a disillusionment? Is the cost of living higher?

Loss of Identity
Has your self-esteem taken a nose-dive? Have you gotten lost in the shuffle?

Depression
Is everything overwhelming and you’d rather stay in bed than unpack a box, hang a picture, or fix a meal?

Expectations
Were you expecting the neighbors to be friendly? To find a close friend soon? To be included?

Inadequacy
Do you feel as if you just don’t have what it takes anymore?

Hurt
Do the tears come when you think of family and friends you left behind?

Grief
Are you grieving over all your losses?

Step Two: Make The Choice To Move Ahead
Identify your emotional baggage tags one by one, acknowledge what they are doing to you and your family, and make the choice to remove them. You may not know how or where to begin the process, so here are some tools to help you move forward...

Leave Your Baggage In The Care Of God
Identify and then allow yourself to let go of the emotional baggage you’re still carrying. Prayerfully leave it in the hands of the One who loves you and who can heal you, Jesus Christ.

Rely On God’s Faithfulness
Recall the times of God’s faithfulness in your own life. Be specific.

Be Yourself
Don’t try to be someone else! When you move to a new place, face your transition in the beauty of who God made you to be.

Stay Strong And Equip Yourself With These Stones...
Faith – You can face any “Goliath” with God’s strength.

Prayer – You can’t fight anger with anger, but you can fight anger with prayer.

Bible study – The more you know and study God’s word, the firmer the ground upon which you stand!

Fellowship – Seek out the fellowship of Christian friends – for support, for accountability, for group Bible study, for encouragement, for fun!

Perseverance – Keep on keeping on! Don’t give up and don’t give in. Don't allow negative thoughts to tell you that you can’t do it or that you can’t overcome your 'GIANTS!'