7 Principles of Change
In my humble opinion, there is only one thing that never changes in life and that is the certainty that something is about to change!
I love stability in life … I love the sweet assurance that today holds expected delights, common moments and enduring and uninterrupted pleasures. However, when I see the winds of change about to blow my solid life off of its safe and stable foundation, I am tempted to hide myself in a safe spot until the flux of turmoil passes by.
Does anyone else dread change the same way that I do?!
Children grow up … friends move away … the economy goes up and down … health and strength weaken … jobs come and go … babies are born … and life changes without a warning.
Change.
One thing that you can be certain of in your life is that something is about to change!
God appeared to Abram one day and said, “It’s time for a change, Abram!” God informed Abram that He wasn’t going to tell Abram where he was going but that Abram needed to pack up his possessions, his servants, his nephew and his wife and start moving toward the future that God had for him.
“Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1
Why would God do this to Abram?! Why would God do this to ANYONE?!
“And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great and so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:2-4
God actually initiated the change in Abram’s circumstances because God knew that it was for Abram’s best interest! God wanted to make Abram greater than he could ever be by just hanging out in the comfortable familiarity of his stable yet boring past.
Father really does know best …
When God initiates the unexpected change of circumstances, it always contains a priceless blessing for His dear children who have been called to participate in the adjustment. God-instigated change is the best possible gift in the life of a human being.
However, let’s just admit it … not all change is God-inspired. Some changes in life simply stink. And then, some of the unexpected changes in life can just rip the heart right out of your chest and rob you of that precious spring in your step.
How should a person respond when the change is unwanted and unnecessary? How should a believer respond when the transition seems unfair and difficult?
How one travels the rapids of transition may just determine how the traveler comes through on the other side of the surprising metamorphosis. I want to share with you 7 Principles of Change and how you can come through your uncharted waters of change with hope in your back pocket and with strength in your heart!
1 – Look for the opportunity in the change. With every change comes the opportunity to grow and to experience something unknown and invigorating. Don’t be so stuck in the past that you miss the delight of new opportunities!
2 – Embrace unchangeable principles in the middle of uncertain circumstances. Don’t allow the difficult change in life to alter your core values. Continue to be a person of honor, of faith, of integrity and of hope even when the world is crashing in around you.
3 – Don’t focus on what you are losing but focus on what you are gaining. Learn from the past … be thankful for the blessings of yesterday … but hopefully celebrate the possibilities of tomorrow!
4 – Understand that every change, even those that have been made wisely and thoughtfully for the better, always come with drawbacks and disappointments. When you face the drawbacks and disappointments of a wise adjustment, know that you have counted the cost and that it is worth it to move ahead with change.
5 – As you face the change that you have perhaps dreaded, remind yourself what your highest priorities are say a sweet but firm, “No,” to those things that are mere distractions. Separating priorities from distractions is one of the most powerful choices a person can ever make whether the winds of change choose to revolutionize your life or not.
6 – Shake off fear and embrace courage. When your only choice is brave, choose brave! Faith is simply a former fear that refuses to be paralyzed by circumstances. Faith is that unshakable substance that has broken away from the surly bonds of timidity and has determined to live without regret!
7 - Rather than panic when the waters of change erupt around you, learn how to surf! That’s right … I dare you! Enjoy the change! Learn how to splash in the waters of transformation and dive into the unstable transition with enthusiasm. Who knows? The change that you are facing just might be the very best thing that has ever happened to you … just ask Abram!
If you can make it through an unexpected and perhaps unwanted adjustment in life with steady principles, with courage and with unprecedented enthusiasm, you will become a wiser and more principled person because of the change.
As always, thanks for listening to my heart. As you know by now, it is not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is enthusiastically chasing after God and all that He is!
