Understanding The Necessity For Change
Life as each of us know today is filled with ups and downs, good times and bad times, happiness and heartaches. Life is full of changes, therefore it is imperative that we as a people understand the necessity for change. It's my belief that change is a part of God's plan for our lives for this allows Him the opportunity to mold us and make us into the vessel He has chosen for us to be.
The bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" We must get the revelation that nothing just happens, in fact Romans 8:28 Say's "And we know that all things work together for good for them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
God works in every situation to develop us into the person He has purposed and called us to be, even though in times it seems as if God is a million miles away. This is where we need to change our mindset and begin to see things from a different perspective. The apostle Paul wrote that we are to be "not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 The word "transformed" simply means "changed", so change begins in our mind or mindset. Our ability to adapt is critical in our lives today because all of our lives are fast paced, stressful, and our plates are continually being filled. The question is "How do we learn to deal with change?"
3 Keys To Understanding The Necessity For Change
- Perception...In John's gospel Jesus prepares His disciples for change by telling them, "it is expedient for you that I go away:" John 16:7 He was telling them it was profitable for them if He left because He would send the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to do the things He said they would do. Why did He do this? He was trying to get them to see that the change that was about to take place was for their good. Our perception of how we see change will determine how we adapt to it.
- Attitude...Our attitude toward change most commonly will determine our perception of it and whether we will resist it or embrace it. It will either work for us or against us, it will elevate us or bring us down. Someone once said, "Our attitude most always determines our altitude." The children of Israel are a good example of a bad or a wrong attitude which ultimately caused them to miss out on the blessings of God. (Exodus 14:10-12; 16:2-4) Job however is a great example of what having the right attitude toward change can do, for after he endured all his trials the bible says "the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning." Job 42:12
- Perseverance...The bible teaches us the David, a man after God's own heart, went through many changes in his life, but yet he held on to the promises of God. Even when everyone else had left him and turned on him, "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 He kept moving in the process, refusing to give up or give in. Many times we miss out on the blessings of God because of our unwillingness to persevere. The apostle James taught that if we let patience have her perfect work we will be complete and wanting nothing. James 1:3-4
Many times we fail to see the necessity for change, however I encourage you today to take a step back and look at change from a different perspective. Try to see how it will help and not harm you. Keep an attitude of faith and persevere to the end, it will be worth it. Allow God to turn your obstacles into opportunities and your stumbling blocks into stepping stones for He is able to use every situation for your good and His glory.
