Have you ever heard someone say, “Something needs to
change!” Or maybe you’ve said it yourself. It’s easy to feel this way when life
gets stressful and we’re overwhelmed — like when our schedules are too full and
we’re working too hard and have too many commitments.
So what do we do when life is out of order and we need a
change? Much of the time we complain and say we want change, yet we don’t do
anything about it. We know something needs to change, but we get
stuck in procrastination or a passive mode, waiting for someone else to do what
we need to do. Some people get angry, some have a victim mentality and blame
others for their mess, some get depressed, and others just sink into self-pity
. 
What we need to do during these times is get stirred up with
a determination that comes from the Holy Spirit in us and declare, “I’m going
to do what I can do to change this!” As Christians, we’re partners with God;
this means He has a part and we have a part. And the simple truth is, if we
will do what we can do, God will do what we cannot do.
Let Go of the Past and Get a New Beginning
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Do not [earnestly] remember the
former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new
thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not
give heed to it?...” (AMP). .
God is doing a new thing! Notice that in this scripture He
says “I am doing a new thing,” not “I will” or “I could” or “I
might.” God has good plans for our lives and He wants to do a new thing in us
and through us today. But if you’re stuck in the past, thinking about the bad
things that happened to you, the ones that are happening to you at the moment or the things you regret and can’t do anything
about, then you won’t see what God is doing right now.
How Do We Change?
In John 15:5 (AMP), Jesus says, “I am the Vine; you are the
branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.
However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.”
I love this scripture because it reminds me that God doesn’t expect me to
change on my own. He is the power source and gives us the grace and strength we
need to do what’s right and make changes in our lives.
Here’s how we cooperate with Him, doing what we can do to
bring about change:
- We
hear the truth in God’s Word and we’re convicted by it. It’s the Word that
shows us who we are and reveals the sin in our lives. We have to realize
what we’re doing wrong before we can know what needs to change and how.
- Then
we repent of our sin. Being repentant means we’re sincerely sorry and
willing to turn away from it.
- The
next step is to study the Word in the area we need change. For example, if
I have a problem with anger, I need to study scriptures about anger and
forgiveness. Use the Word like medicine and take it into your heart and
mind. There is power in God’s Word to bring change to our souls!
God Will Reward You
Change is a process, and it’s often a lengthy one. It
usually doesn’t happen overnight, but if we’re determined to trust God and obey
His Word, He will be faithful to give us the grace and strength we need to do
what we can do and experience the changes He has for us. The key is for us to
focus on God and the good things. Don’t get stuck in your past, mourning for
things you can’t change or get back.
Remember that God “is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). He is a God of justice and recompense, and He
wants to give you a twofold blessing for your trouble (see Isaiah 61:7-8). God
loves you! Seek Him diligently and experience the righteousness, peace and joy
He wants you to have today.