Change

Some may ask, why do people have to change? Change is a natural occurrence in all of life. There are four season changes. The weather shifts from the blistering cold to a sweltering summer. In our flesh, we transition from babies to toddlers to adults to the elderly. Change can be positive, helping our relationships become more healthy. Or change can decompose those relationships over a period of time while we look the other way. Lets look at Isaiah 42:

8I am the LORD, that is My name;

And My glory I will not give to another,

Nor My praise to carved images.

9Behold, the former things have come to pass,

And new things I declare;

Before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:8 & 9

It tells us that nothing in life remains constant. It is either growing, or dying. If a relationship is not being enhanced, encouraged and developed, it may maintain for a short period , but it will eventually deteriorate.

There can be no excuse for being overtaken by change. The old saying, Things just changed, is not a valid reason. Change within a relationship is never a sudden occurrence. A relationship breakup does not just happen without there being a deterioration of some kind first. This could be a lack of trust, lack of affection or no communication.

This is also the same for a positive future. It just doesnt happen by itself. It has to be worked at. Proverbs 20:4 says A lazy man will not plough in the winter and will beg during the harvest. For positive change to occur hard work needs to be put into a relationship. This work is hard mentally, physically, emotionally and also spiritually.

When we are faced with difficulty in change, this can be traced back to fear. It could be a fear of failure, a fear of a lack of appreciation or any other fear. When we are faced with these fears, our natural reaction is to begin to place the blame upon others. We may even try to run away and hide so we dont have to face the change that has occurred in out life.

Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

19Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert.

20The beast of the field will honor Me,

The jackals and the ostriches,

Because I give waters in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert,

To give drink to My people, My chosen.

21This people I have formed for Myself;

They shall declare My praise.

The way we can begin to face those fears and reconcile ourselves with change is to understand it begins with little steps. Everyday we can learn something small. Every day a procurable goal can be set for yourself. For example, dont aim toward being a famous guitarist next week. First make an appointment for guitar lessons. Taking one step at a time, goals become achievable.

When we sit back in our stagnant relationships, remember just because its comfortable now doesnt mean it doesnt need work. That relationship could be slowly fading. Consistent effort and change is a positive thing. Just remember to everyday take those small steps toward a positive change.

Ps. Brent Campbell