HOW DO WE ACHIEVE LASTING CHANGE?

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” – Warren Wierbse.

Is there something in your life that needs to change? You may be saying, “I can change.” The world offers us many ways to change and things we can do to change, but they are all based on our ability to enact change through logic, reason, etc. It usually doesn’t work all that well. You need God’s power to affect lasting change because only God can make the changes you can’t make yourself.

The apostle Paul felt that way nearly 2,000 years ago. He says this in the Bible: “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does” (Romans 7:24-25 MSG).

Lasting change requires intentionality, focus, and effort. You have to change what you think, and then you’ll change what you speak. When you change how you think and how you speak, it will change how you behave. And then the change in behavior will change the direction and course of your life. Our thoughts, words, and actions create who we are.

If you want your reality to be different from what it currently is, you need to start with what is happening in your thought life. Renewing your mind doesn’t happen just by casually reading the Bible or certain scriptures, but consuming them to the point that they become a part of you. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

We are responsible for doing these things. You will need to take stock of your life—your thoughts, words, and actions. What are you thinking? What are you doing? Because thoughts lead to actions, what are you speaking?

Change is inevitable. It’s unavoidable. It brings about the unexpected things we didn’t plan for. It pushes us out of our comfort zone. It forces us to adjust to circumstances we may or may not have been ready for. However, no matter how ready or reluctant we are to make or embrace change, one thing is for certain God is with you every step of the way.

The closer you get to God, the more your faith in Him increases. The more your faith in Him increases, the more your trust in all He has mapped out for you should increase. The more you trust God, the easier it will be to embrace the changes He orchestrates for your life.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you typically respond to change? Does it excite you? Does it stress you out? Do you experience a combination of both excitement and stress?
2. Read James 1:22–25. Has Scripture ever revealed something about you that you needed to change? If so, what did you do?