Attitude—The Difference Maker #10: Changing Times

 “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God” (Matt. 3:8 NLT).

No doubt, this past year has been one of the most challenging years we have ever faced. The Coronavirus pandemic, shut downs, economic upheaval of many businesses, protests and riots etc., have made many people long for a new year—minus the struggles. For my family personally, 2021 will bring about many changes with the expectant arrival of our third child in late February. Yet as much as we like the idea of change, typically the only ones who truly want it are wet babies.

Therefore, most people tend to resist change. When we resist change, our attitudes are naturally affected. And more importantly than that, God calls all of us to change as we daily turn from our sinful desires to follow Him. Yet change is not easy for there are several reasons why we resist change.

  First, we resist it because we fear having personal loss. I remember when I was a kid, the factory that my dad worked at shut down, which meant that my dad, along with about 600 people were out of a job, not to mention the affect that it had on all of their families. For us, it meant that I would have to move. I had never moved before and so was fearful of it. I was fearful about leaving behind my friends and having to downsize my possessions that I held dear.

Another reason we tend to resist change is because of our fear of the unknown. One writer said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—and possibly the bogeyman.” Ironically, it’s the “bogeyman” who often causes us to resist change. It’s what we don’t know that makes us afraid.

People often cling to what they know, even if they are not satisfied with it. Fear holds us back, yet the only way to overcome the fear is to do the thing that we fear.

Third, people resist change because the timing could be wrong. One of John Maxwell’s 21 irrefutable laws of leadership states, “When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.” Thus, it is a wise thing to carefully consider timing for change.

Fourth, people resist change because it feels awkward. Change is often going to require you to step outside of your comfort zone. Likewise, most people don’t like to rock the boat. Yet sometimes it takes rocking the boat to get it unstuck.

And fifth, people resist change because of tradition. Many people cling to tradition. The assumption is that if something is tradition, it must be a better way. But that’s not necessarily so. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day by saying, “...you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition” (Matt. 15:6 NKJV). As was quoted at the beginning of this article, we are all called to change—it’s called repentance. And if you think that you don’t regularly need to repent, it shows what you need to repent of—pride.

Therefore, how can we move forward in the direction that God would have for us—even if we don’t like change? The keys to dealing with change successfully are having a good attitude toward it and being prepared to meet it. So the following four things can assist you. 

First, ask God for help. Throughout the Bible we can find numerous examples of God transforming people in mighty ways, and He does the same thing today. He gives courage to the fearful, strength to the weak, success in the place of failure, comfort to the hurting, joy in place of sadness, life to the dead and dying, and thus, hope to the hopeless. When a Samaritan woman came to Jesus, He took her past reputation that had caused her shame and used it to produce joy and dignity. So ask Him for help with the changes that you need to go through.

Second, to help overcome the struggle with change, realize that change is unavoidable. If you doubt that simply look in the mirror. :) We all experience it whether we like it or not. And the simple fact of the matter is that things will always be changing. So the sooner that a person can learn to accept that fact the easier that the change will be.

Third, to help overcome the struggle with change, make the commitment to change. The simple fact of the matter is that much of life is hard, but we make the choice to go through the struggles that we know are worthwhile. As someone once said, “Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.  Life will always have things that are hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely.”

So as you consider how to make the changes needed to improve and grow, it is important to measure the cost of change compared to the cost of status quo. Change equals growth. And change equals grief.

Lastly, a simple understanding of the Gospel message can help us to deal with change. One writer explained it like this: “When we believe the gospel, we accept the truth that we need to change. We know we are broken people whom God is making new through Christ. Not only us as individuals, but we believe that God is going to make all things new. There is also a cosmic change coming.
God not only wants to change your status—from non-Christian to Christian—but also to change you. He wants to make you like His Son Jesus” (Erik Raymond, Change is Good). This is exactly what Romans 8:29 teaches. “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

I wonder if you’ve thought about your Christian lives through the lenses of change. Are you aware of this change? Are you resistant to it? What are you doing to pursue it? As we seek to pursue the transformation that God has for us, it naturally changes our attitudes for the better!

In His service,

Matt

(Portions from John Maxwell, The Difference Maker)

Elder’s Corner: Is Patriotism Still Alive?

I was reading an article from Reader's Digest last month about Alexander Scammell. He was an American Revolution soldier who was writing a friend of his to explain why the war against the crown must be pursued. Here is the body of the letter: “My friend, tyranny and oppression wield their iron rod over our country; they begin to shake the very foundation of our constitution. Whilst the voice of our forefathers' blood cries to us from the ground, to define the rights, the liberty, and the territory which they so dearly purchased by their crimson gore and treasure. . . .Every man of true honor and virtue will rather contend for the honor of first spilling his blood in so glorious a cause…yours Alexr. Scammell.”  A few years later, at the Battle of Yorktown, Scammell did indeed spill his blood for the cause he held so dear. This dear country has had a myriad of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, in the years since our initial freedom, for the liberties which we sometimes (too often) take for granted.

This got me thinking about a Christian's responsibility to vote, to support our countries' leaders, and to be in active support of our government. Let me share some scriptures: Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.”  Romans 13:1 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  This passage continues talking about those who obey the authorities have no reason to fear, but those who are evil have a reason to fear because the laws were made to protect people and property. He concludes that it is a citizen's duty to pay taxes to whom due. Then in verse 8 a higher command is reinforced, one that Jesus himself not only taught but also lived out. “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Can you imagine what would happen in government, in cities, in the country if we as a nation just obeyed that higher calling?

1 Peter 2: 13-17 “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

Once again I marvel at how current, this book that God wrote to us, and how relevant it is in today's political situation. So I would urge you to do your duty and vote for the candidate that you believe most closely reflects God's will for our nation.

I would be remiss if I didn't also remind you of a quote from Abraham Lincoln “Stand with anyone who stands right, Stand with him as long as he is right, and depart from him when he goes wrong.” This quote reminds me of many other scriptures which demand that a Christian oppose a government that stands in opposition to the principles of God. See Acts 4:19; and Acts 5:29. When Peter was called in on the carpet for disregarding the “Council” he replied, as we should “We must obey God rather than men.”     

—Alan