Problems to Solve, Questions to Ponder - Part 3

The concept of change raises questions like, what conditions prepare a person for change? What indicates a readiness to alter one’s life and surroundings? The promise for a hopeful future motivates immigrants to leave home and face uncertainties in a new country. Signposts for change are loneliness, unhappiness, unemployment and discontent.

A positive incentive for change is hope, which liberates people from resistance and a rigid dependency on what is known to go in search of something better. Hope activates courage to let go of the familiar for the possibility of obtaining fulfillment in the future.

Hope demands some degree of predictability by seeking creative ways to activate change. Hope connects to a powerful drive that believes change is doable. Abraham could only imagine what God had in mind for him when God told him to leave what was familiar and go discover a new future. Abraham believed God, and it was regarded as righteousness on his part. We can make that choice.  

Problems to Solve, Questions to Ponder - Part 2

Every generation faces milestones that change the course of human history. God in his wisdom uses people to influence future generations. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity is an example. I can’t even begin to comprehend what it means. God will use, however, improbable people to carry out his plan and purpose for his creation.

God’s business is change, and he will use whomever he chooses to activate that change. Listen to a difficult verse to understand from Matthew 22:14. “Many are called or invited, but few are chosen.” Perhaps an attitude of consent, compliance and willingness to change is key to being chosen by God.

God’s goal is that we be redeemed and transformed from a self-centered lifestyle into compliance with his purpose and plan. This may be a lifetime endeavor, for change is difficult. God opens our eyes and hearts to understand and accept what he has in store for us. It is by his power and grace we can conform to his great plan. 

Problems to Solve, Questions to Ponder - Part 1

Life has a way of creating problems, so problem solving becomes a necessity. Someone said, “I’ll take the problems rather than the alternative, for if I’m alive, solutions and changes are possible.” Problems do challenge our creativity, but if they’re ignored, the resulting conflicts may appear overwhelming and make change seem impossible.

A critical step in problem solving is to clearly define the specific change that needs attention. When God sent Jesus to be the Messiah, his mission was clearly defined. Through faith in Jesus, believers achieve peace with God by being saved from sin and death. They no longer face the consequence of eternal separation from God.

Becoming a believer is not an escape from life’s complications. It does mean there is help for facing today’s challenges. God provides guidance needed for managing difficult situations, so ask the Holy Spirit to provide the specific insight and help you need to resolve the issues you face. It will surprise you what God will do.

                

Navigating the Path of Change - Part 3

Change is a given as we roll with the flow of life. A common occurrence is needing to adjust to unexpected events like health problems or political manipulations, in addition social issues that make life stressful. Superficial changes are made easily, but deeper emotional and spiritual changes require significant energy and commitment.

Angry, critical people may not be aware of the destructive effects their attitudes and behaviors have on themselves and others. In the early morning hours of sleeplessness, a friend asked God for help to see solutions to critical problems he faced. Learning to control what provokes an angry, critical verbal attack is required for change to occur.

While solutions may seem impossible, God is capable of surprises. He promises help to those who sincerely seek change through godly insight and understanding and who will accept the solutions he offers. God is faithful and always acts in your best interest.  

Navigating the Path of Change - Part 2

Identifying problems that need change is relatively easy, but developing a strategy for change can be difficult, if not overwhelming. A well informed twenty-year-old confided, “I know change is needed, but making it happen escapes me.” A basic first step is clearly defining the problem in practical, concrete terms.

Clearly identifying solutions involves clearing away our first thoughts and impressions. Blaming others for hurt, pain and failure block our ability to see how issues are perpetuated by our mindset and behaviors. Blaming others for problems we face is normal, but healing only occurs as we acknowledge our complicity in the problems.

Developing patience for change occurs as God extends to you his tolerance and wisdom. You must commit to using what he gives in ways that comply with his plan and purpose. Proverbs 19:2 offers this advice: “Enthusiasm without knowledge is not helpful,” so wait and listen to what God puts in your heart and mind.

Navigating the Path of Change - Part 1

Frustration and change can walk together along the same path. However, frustration isn’t the only companion to accompany change. Excitement, anxiety, a sense of relief, dread, gladness, grief and joy are other feelings that parallel change. Life itself is a mystery simply because each day may bring unpredictable change.

Mystery and change require faith to cope with not knowing all the facts. The Apostle Paul regarded himself as a servant of Christ and one entrusted with the mysteries and secret things of God. Yet he readily confessed to knowing only in part but longed for the day when he could know completely.

Serious Christians are rarely content with knowing or understanding only partially the mysteries of God. God gives insight about himself, yourself, and others as you mature in faith and service. God’s plan for you is always good, so he helps you make choices that will secure the changes he desires for you.  

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 3

From a casual perspective, one objective of life and love is to have fun. So, what’s wrong with that? The obsessed, fun-loving person is in love with pleasure to avoid pain. John Keats noted, “Mature love is capable of living with uncertainties, doubt and mystery without impatiently grasping for reasons and facts.”

What did he mean by his declaration that “Mature love is capable of living with uncertainties, doubt and mystery without impatiently grasping for reasons and facts”? Keats referred to love that’s stable and capable of tolerating not being in complete control when life is not totally predictable and where answers to life’s questions are not available.

Life can be enjoyable when confidence and patience are conjoined with a sense of excitement for doing what God directs. Jesus encouraged his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before presenting the Good News of the Gospel to their world. When the Holy Spirit came, they were changed and their purpose became apparent. 

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 2

Predictability is desirable for life to feel secure. Predictability equates to constancy, which encourages hope for an ever-changing world. While constancy and change seem to be polar-opposites, human beings need variation and change to stave off boredom. Most individuals develop a healthy tolerance for constancy and change.

We flourish where constancy exists because mastery of life’s tasks requires it. Still there must be flexibility for change and adjustment. When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the Good News of his coming, their message was to be constant, but their response was to be flexible, depending on how the message was received.

Change should be anticipated, but the uncertainty associated with change can create anxiety. Imagine going out to preach, teach, and heal others, without knowing how you will be received. You will be anxious and afraid, but equipped with the Holy Spirit, you will have power to enjoy God’s purpose for your life. May God bless you.  

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 1

Political campaigns are a mixture of flattery and condemnation. Adlai Stevenson said, “I suppose flattery hurts no one, that is, if he or she does not inhale.” Some confessed, “I smoked dope, but I did not inhale.” Every-  one acknowledged they changed to avoid condemnation. People do change and give up old habits by God’s transforming grace.

Reinhold Niebuhr realized change was necessary, so he composed the Serenity Prayer in 1934. Listen for a moment: “God, give us grace to accept with serenity what cannot be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and wisdom to know the difference.” Serenity means composure and contentment.

Our past follows us into the future, but by God’s grace and mercy it surrenders the grasping choke-hold that enslaves us. God equips us with courage to step up to the challenge of change, to take hold of the newness of life that comes by faith in Christ Jesus. He is the giver of wisdom and permanent change to all who seek it.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 3

The German philosopher Immanuel Kant famously stated, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Kant believed that while society, politics and mankind desire change, reality consistently finds it very difficult to shape permanent change. It takes vigilance to stay focused on what is good and godly while resisting what is bad and evil.

Several countries have weapons capable of obliterating human beings. Terrorists seek to wreak havoc on those considered to be their enemy. The goals of the church, education, medicine and the penal system is to change society, improve the character of people and make the planet a better, safer place to live.

Character flaws can be transformed by truly renewing your mind, which means to change how you think, what you believe and how you choose to behave. Jesus said, “I have come to save the world not condemn it.” The fact that Christ Jesus lives within you confirms that you can go forward in faith to possess what God has prepared for you.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 2

Architecture and fashion are subject to change. Occasionally a person like Frank Lloyd Wright comes along and ushers in a revolution in architecture that others will follow and imitate. Jesus was an architect of change, bringing transformation that never ends within the heart, mind and soul of committed Christians.

I recently talked with someone involved in a relationship perceived as confining, like an emotional prison. Feelings of powerlessness, fear and depression in addition to anxiety made the future look bleak and hopeless. Sharing the truth of the situation and setting goals for change created an attitude of hopefulness and assurance.

Commitment to change is essential but must center around God’s specific purpose, which becomes apparent as his guidance and direction are clearly understood. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Realizing Jesus chose you is a confidence builder that change is forthcoming and good.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 1

That pollution creates health problems is undeniable. While many world nations take steps to clean up the environment, others continue with disregard to pollute it. In same way, we pollute our mind and body with unhealthy habits, thinking patterns and relationships that transform us into something undesirable and out of compliance with God’s plan for us.

By our own choices combined with undesirable attitudes, we can be transformed into something unacceptable to God. For instance, permitting an attitude of anger to possess us can evolve into developing bitterness, hatred, major depression and unacceptable behaviors. Anger should not have control over our lives.

The desire for change and peace must come from within by the work of the Holy Spirit, whom we invited into our heart and soul. Peace can be achieved by being committed to this promise from Jesus: “Blessed are those who strive for peace because God calls them his children.” With empowerment from God himself, all things are possible.  

Like It or Not, Change Will Come - Part 3

What does it take to make significant personal, social or financial changes? Our economy basically runs on credit and a philosophical perspective that says, enjoy it now and pay later. What does it take to make significant changes concerning what you think you need, what you must have, and how to fit in socially to secure your happiness?

Trying to make changes can be discouraging because real change doesn’t come easily. Change must begin at a deeper level within the heart and mind and then move outwardly. God made it possible to realize change is needed when relationships deteriorate due to unresolved conflicts trying to co-exist with anger and sadness.

Significant change becomes possible as we sacrifice pride and fear to be honest with God, significant others and ourselves. Restoring love and affection is the primary objective along with conflict resolution. The First Epistle of John commands us to love one another, which is possible when love for God is our primary objective.