Sunday, June 3, 2012

Dare to Change


“Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.”



“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)


Making a change requires a giant leap of faith, and many people fear that they lack what it takes to make that change; taking that leap of faith is risky! When situations and circumstances are working in your life, why fix them, right? Why get out of your comfort zone? We typically have a fear of the unknown and we avoid what we fear. Many of us will come up with all sorts of reasons why it will never work, and besides, we won’t get the results we expected. But we need to commit ourselves and work on it anyway, because “when you are through changing, you are through” (Bruce Barton).  I think we are all aware of things in our life that need to be refined, whether it is a change in attitude, behavior, or work condition. The healthiest and most content people are those who are aware of where they fall short and are able to come to God in truth and humility and believe in His ability to change us.  A favorite story of mine is in the bible in the book of Acts where God changed the life of one of the most cruel and immoral Christian haters into one of His most useful and virtuous servants. What a wonderful demonstration of God’s power! And He can do the same in our own lives; it is His continuing grace that can change and transform us. Change is too hard when you try to do it without Him!



"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Galations 2:20 ~NLT)

I believe that God loves me just the way I am, but He refuses to leave me that way and not grow! And if I am going to choose to invest my time and energy to make and accept a change, I want to make it a positive and meaningful one that will bring richness and value into my life. God wants to make all of us into a better and more holy people, both on the inside and the outside. He will bring change into our lives through His amazing love and in His own time and way and we must fight the urge to resist it. If we are going to grow in our walk, we must be willing to invite and allow change in our lives. We must manage and respond to change so that it will work for us, not against us. Life changes because we are part of it, and we can always make it change for the better.


“The healthiest people are those who are aware of where they fall short, and choose to believe in His love and His ability to change us”. (Unknown)

Linking up with Wendy on Scripture Sunday and Joan on The Beauty in His Grip


Beauty in His Grip Button

15 comments:

  1. Hi Denise - such a great and well timed post for me. i love how you say God loves us just the way we are but He refuses to leave us that way. I am feeling really worked on of late. Trusting God for the outcome.
    God bless my friend. You are very special to me
    Tracy

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  2. Denise, this is a wonderful post!

    Please could I ask you to re-submit it to the Scripture Sunday linky? I am so sorry to ask this but I had problems with it today and had to delete the original linky. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

    Wendy

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  3. I love everything about this post! The word imagery , your words and the quotes. I am savoring with joy. Thanks, Denise!

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  4. Thank you for this, Denise. Really a post to think about.

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  5. Visiting today from Wendy's link up. This is so true! Thanks for the reminder, Denise. I am so thankful he never leaves us where we're at.

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  6. I love your words Denise because we as people we hate changes rather they be on our job in our home or what ever we would rather fight instead of going with it. Jesus requires us to change and because we don't like change we will even fight with Him so we won't change but change is good especially when Jesus tells us to change from what we use to be to who He sees us as...AMEN

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  7. Change can be a hard thing but...if it's a change the Lord wants me to make I'm good with it.After a little kicking and screaming that is!! LOL

    Blessings...Chelle

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  8. Yes, change is hard and my comfort zone is comfortable. But you're so right. God loves us so much He won't allow us to stay there for too long. Through trials and challenges, He is turning me upside down lately. But who said transformation was easy? So thankful that He guides us every step of the way though.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  9. Great post you got here. Thanks Denise been blessed by it! :D

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  10. Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog Denise. You are such an encouragement in the Lord.

    Wendy

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  11. I am so glad that God is continually changing and growing me! Your post reminds me of the comparison between the lump of clay and the potter's hands. The clay is just a lump until the potter shapes and molds it. I'm so thankful to be in the Potter's Hands!

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  12. Hi Denise,
    Change is very difficult indeed. It is the fear of the unknown...We just need to trust in the One who never changes!
    ~Have a wonderful weekend, and God Bless you dear friend~ Lisa

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  13. I echo Modern Day Disciple. Love it.

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  14. nice post thanks for sharing...blessings

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