Transitions and changes in life can be equal parts terrifying and beautiful. There’s something unsettling about stepping into the unknown, whether you are moving into a new school, house, job, or season of life. We don’t like it when we don’t know what’s ahead. 

At the same time, there is something wonderful about a new beginning. A big life change can be an open door, an opportunity to leave the old life behind, and a chance to start again with a clean slate. 

Jesus offers us a new beginning that is more drastic than any other kind of change: he says we must be “born again” (John 3:3). Choosing to follow Jesus is not just saying a prayer but starting a new life. When we choose to accept God’s forgiveness and put our trust in him, the Holy Spirit begins a supernatural transformation in our hearts. 

Use these verses to remember the beauty of new beginnings and take courage in the face of change. 

All verses are cited from the New Living Translation (NLT). 

Genesis 1:1 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Psalm 32:8 

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” 

Psalm 51:10 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” 

Isaiah 43:18-19

“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” 

Lamentations 3:22-23 

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” 

Ezekiel 36:26 

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” 

Matthew 9:17 

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” 

John 3:3 

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” 

Romans 6:4 

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” 

Romans 12:2 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 

2 Corinthians 5:17 

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 

Ephesians 4:21-24 

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” 

A team of over 100 leading biblical scholars meticulously translated the best Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into the contemporary English of the New Living Translation (NLT), blending the highest accuracy with exceptional clarity. The result is the accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable Bible translation that you can trust and easily apply to your life. Learn more on the official NLT website: NewLivingTranslation.com.