The Problem with Change
Change is always tough. Even for those who see themselves as agents of change, the process of starting a new thing can cause times of disorientation, uncertainty and insecurity. But the real problem comes when you try to change those things about yourself that you can't change on your own, which only produces frustration and feelings of failure.
To solve the "change problem," you have to come to a place where you understand the difference between those things you can change and those things you can't. You see, there are some things only God can change. And without Him and His help, you'll never be fully transformed into the person you want to be.
I spent years trying to change things about myself that really only God could change. I tried to change my husband, my children, my neighbor, myself and my circumstances. And no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing. But no matter how many times I failed, I always had a new project I was "working" on. I would say I was trusting God, but the truth was, I trusted myself more. Does that sound familiar?
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Instead of "working on people," we should pray for them to be open to change and allow God to work in their lives. We need to do this with a lot of humility, keeping in mind that we have faults of our own that need to be adjusted. God's ways and His timing are not the same as our own. We may grow weary of waiting for God to "do something." That's when we usually try to take matters into our own hands. But guess what? It doesn't cause God to get upset or hurry and do what we want Him to do. It can actually end up making our wait longer and more frustrating.
Life is much simpler once we understand the importance of realizing there are things we simply have no power to change. When you are able to let go and let God be God, you'll find your life becoming much less stressful. You don't have to be a superhero. Give yourself permission to be who you are—an imperfect human being who needs help!
Simplifying a complicated life can only happen as a result of making positive changes, so you must begin to change those things that you can. Some people say they hate change, when really, they love the results of change—they just don't like the process of changing.
When things change, it's easy to feel disoriented for a period of time. We are not what we used to be and we are not sure yet what we will be. Anytime we step out boldly to make changes, we take a chance that we might fail. But the only way to get better is to try.
Have you thought about changing something about your life for a long time and yet you've never actually taken steps to do it? Good intentions never change anything. They only become a deeper and deeper rut. God looks for those brave-hearted souls who hear His voice and are bold enough to act accordingly. The only way you will ever discover what you can have is by giving up what you currently have. Increase always demands investment. I remember when I had to leave a secure job at a church in order to start my own ministry. It was a frightening and lonely time for me, but deep down inside I knew it was a change I needed to make. I had to let go of those things I was holding on to, but I ended up with much more than I gave up.
Regularly making necessary changes will help keep your life simple. As you prune (cut) things off that need to go, you de-clutter your life and make room for the fresh and new.
