Why Is Change So Hard?
Why is change so hard? Why is anything worth having hard? At what point do we start believing the lies that tell us we can’t change? I know those are loaded questions, but they are all excellent questions to ask.I was asked these questions through a book and they have stuck with me throughout the week. I mentioned in my last post that I am currently reading “the Christian atheist” by Craig Groeschel. This week’s chapter was of course on change and it hit me square in the face.So why is it so hard to change? For one, we live in a broken world where God allows Satan to tempt us and discourage us. It’s not a coincidence that when we try to make changes to better our life we have all these excuses creep into our head. “Why don’t you start that tomorrow? It’s been a busy day and you deserve to rest.” “You can’t really change who you are, it’s just the hand you’ve been dealt.” And on and on and on….Maybe some of you out there (myself included) have a hard time admitting that there needs to be a change. Maybe you are a addicted to work, shopping, social media, your image, pornography, drugs, gossip, etc… but don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Well, Craig Groeschel lays out six questions that will help you gauge if there is something standing in the way of you and God (aka idolatry). Think of something that could possibly be an idol in your life and answer these six questions;
- Do your family and friends say you have a problem?
- Do you continue even though you are hurting people? (Think both directly and indirectly)
- Do you arrange your schedule, priorities or spending around it?
- Can you go one week without it?
- Is it driving others away?
- Are you denying it is a problem or trying to keep it a secret?
Did you answer yes to at least two of those six questions? If so you have an idol, but guess what, you are not alone because we all have idols in our life. Idolatry is the basis of every sin and we all have sin in our life. We all put something ahead of God, but the beautiful part is is that we can change that!
John 5:1-9 - a pool…. In these (pools) lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. (ESV)
Does it strike anyone else when Jesus asks the man if he wants to be healed he instantly starts making excuses? He started believing the lies Satan was feeding him that he could/would never change. But Jesus instantly healed him and told him to get up and leave. Why can’t Jesus do that for you and I? Sometimes he does, but a lot of times he allows us to work through the change. I’ve found that working through that change helps me appreciate the transformation that much more. But most importantly it gives me a whole other level of love and respect for our Lord and Savior, which is what this life is all about right?Is there change that needs to take place in your life? What’s the best way to go about making these changes?
- Pray, and pray often.
- Dig into God’s word, he loves to speak to us through his 66 love letters to us.
- Find an accountability partner that you trust and know will push you to stay on track with your change
- Write down a list of goals and a timeline to complete those goals. If you can, hang them somewhere you can see them every day. Or create reminders in your email or phone to pop up to keep you on track.
- Pray again for God’s help and direction through this change
- Enjoy the ride! Look for the positives and celebrate small or large advancements in your transformation
Through the power of the Holy Spirit you CAN do this!