Change is not comfortable, easy, or desirable. The truth is, most people would prefer not to change. A life without change would be dull and colorless. Just consider how the Lord created the Earth. He made the seasons change throughout the year, the weather changes almost every day, and the sky changes from morning to night. Most of us enjoy watching the oceans change with the tides, and our children change from babies to toddlers to teens to adults. Change is necessary, beautiful, and the Lord built the ability to embrace change with grace and confidence into our DNA.
A positive step toward learning how to deal with change is acknowledging that change is going to happen and choosing to embrace change when it comes. We are not talking about change for change’s sake, but change directed by God in His infinite plan. God, in His mercy, is constantly preparing us for the next thing—the plans and purposes He created specifically for each of us. God uses the mistakes and failures as well as the victories and successes of the past to equip us for right now, and for the future. Being uncomfortable is not always a bad thing, and change is often the very thing God uses to prepare us and propel us forward.
Letting Go and Pressing Forward
‘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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:13-14, NKJV)
Here Paul is not saying the past is unimportant; he is saying don’t hold onto it, and don’t let what has happened keep you from moving toward what will happen. God has done amazing things in your life, but He isn’t done. Paul is saying it is necessary to let go of what holds you to the past in order to move forward into the future. Thankfully, God rarely reveals the whole story at once, or some of us just might hyperventilate. Instead, He gently leads us into the next step (or half step) toward His plans and purposes. Taking a step away from our comfort zone and toward the unknown requires faith and it is how to deal with change.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
Change requires a deliberate decision. The word decision literally means de (from), cision (to cut), to cut from. A deliberate decision to change generates the cutting away from your past and what’s holding you back. This cutting from allows you to move forward into the next steps related to the call of God on your life. Change, growth, and development all begin with a decision to press toward something new.
Related Post: How Risk and Reward Can Propel Spiritual Growth
Waiting for Change—Actively or Passively? Change can sneak up on you unawares, catching you in a state of unreadiness and giving you a bit of a shock. On the other hand, change can also be a long time coming. Change might involve a period of waiting that seems interminable and makes the best of us chafe to get moving. Waiting when you have a word from the Lord is an active endeavor. Your time is spent seeking the Lord and preparing your heart, your skills and your environment. Waiting passively is a lesson in futility. You feel overlooked and forgotten. You may also foolishly try to make something happen on your own. Abram moved from passive to active and gave us a clue for how to deal with change when it is not swift and exciting, but slow and laborious.
‘After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.’ (Genesis 15:1-6 NKJV)
Abram had already waited a long time for his promise. Long enough to feel forgotten and overlooked. He was stuck in a passive thought pattern for so long, he kinda asked the Lord, ‘What’s the hold up here?’ In His kindness, the Lord simply restated His promise. Then, He followed up by giving Abram a kick in the pants. ‘Shut up and get up’ is the Billy Epperhart version of the Lord saying, ‘Enough of this Abram, let Me remind you Who you are speaking to and what I have promised. It will happen exactly like I said it!’ Abram needed a kick in the pants, but he didn’t need it twice. He moved from passive to active and believed the Lord even through more waiting.
Bible Verses About Change
‘The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.’ 2 Peter 3:9 NLT
‘Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.’ Colossians 3:10 NLT
‘And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.’ Philippians 1:6 NLT
‘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.’ Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT
‘So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.’ 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
‘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.’ Romans 12:2 NLT
If you ask different people how to deal with change, you will get a variety of answers, and there isn’t just one right answer. But if you take the time to look beyond your current circumstances toward a future full of the promises of God, you will be headed in the right direction.
Change is the only constant in life. Change is all around us, all the time, and the sooner we know how to deal with change, the quicker we can make adjustments to move toward our destiny. For more insight into dealing with change, take advantage of our Change Devotional or opt into the presale of the Change Mastery Bundle.
