Change…. That is a word that most of us don’t like to hear. Even when change is for the good, it can sometimes be difficult, even scary. But, change is one of those inevitable pieces of life. We all experience it one time or another. I heard this statement from an inmate one time: “When the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of change, you will change.” That is a power packed statement.
One of the biggest hindrances to change for many people is
that they are stuck in their past or even in a present dilemma. Think about this. If you drive down the road
in your car looking in the rearview mirror the whole time, what is going to
happen? Obviously, you will crash. Well, it’s the same thing in life. If we
keep looking back we’re going to crash into various obstacles in life. So, what
is the answer to this fear of change? The bible gives us several answers.
First of all in Philippians 3:13,14 it says
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Emphasis added)
The first step in moving forward is to stop looking
backwards all the time. Take your hurts, your questions, your fears….
Everything and give them to the God. His
Son, Jesus Christ took all your pains on himself when He died on the cross.
Let’s quickly look at a few other hindrances to moving
forward that the bible mentions.
Forsaking God - In other words, preferring
your own way. So many of us think we
know what’s best for our life. But who would know better than God Himself, the
Creator of the universe who knows everything? Take the risk to step out and
trust God with your whole life. In
Matthew 6:33 it says: "But seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you.” If we put God first in
our lives, He will meet all of our needs.
Fear of man - Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man
brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”
We will never take risks or try new things as long as we fear what
others will think of us. One way to help fight this is to remember the
following statement: “I am not responsible for anyone else’s actions or reactions
except my own.” Besides, if someone is truly your friend they will encourage
you to move forward and be happy with you for the changes in your life.
Worldliness - This could be a lengthy
subject, but for now let’s simply say that if let the ways of the world
influence us, it will choke out the truth of God’s Word. See Mark 4:18, 19 and 1 John 2:15.
Misplaced confidence - Relying on
anything or anyone other than God for your needs. It is only in a relationship with the Lord
that we can have all of our needs met.
Remember the scripture quoted earlier from Matthew 6:33? Put God first
in your life.
Self-sufficiency – This is when we think we don’t
need anyone. WE think we can do it ourselves and refuse to ask for help. But Proverbs 3: 5,6 says; “5 Trust in the
LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your
ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Another scripture that
talks about self-sufficiency is Rev.
3:16-20 where the Laodicean Church thought they had it all together more than
anyone else but didn’t realize they were spiritually blind.
Neglect of the "little
things" –
I once read a statement that said. “We stumble over pebbles not rocks.” We often tend to overlook what we think are
the little things. But then these little thinks pile up into a big mountain and
next thing we know we’re totally overwhelmed. So, don’t let little things go
unchecked in your life. Ask someone you
trust who you know will be truthful with you to be an accountability partner to
help you monitor your progress.
Finally, our last point is
Not counting the cost – It makes a made up mind to decide we’re moving forward
with our lives no matter what. We need
to be aware that not everyone is going to like the changes in our life. Family, friends, co-workers may not
understand. Some may try to put fear in you, some will threaten you by saying
they won’t be your friends anymore.
Reality is there will be a cost to change. The people you surround
yourself with may have to change; priorities will have to change, etc. But with God on our side we can overcome
anything as Roman 8: 31-39 declares,
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for
us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered
Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?
It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he
who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we
are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we
are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that
neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things
present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created
thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
That’s all for now my friend. Take the risk and step into a
new season in your life!
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