5 Steps To Growth and Change

How are your 2013 resolutions coming?

If you ‘ve already messed up, welcome to the club.  For many folks their resolutions don’t survive the first week, let alone the first month.  There are a  variety of reasons, but rather than focus on “why”, let’s think about “how.”

How can I change?  Grow?  Improve? Here are five steps to help you.

#1 Believe In & Embrace Change 

The only constant in life is change!  Since our lives our filled with change, accept it.  Embrace it!  And use it to your advantage.  Believe YOU can change!  You can grow!  You can be a better you!

If you are a Christian, change should be a part of your walk.  Christian commitment brings changes.  A change in relationships.  Attitudes.  Habits.  Lifestyle.  We are commanded to “grow in the grace of knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18).

Don’t buy into the excuse, “that’s just the way I am.”  If you do, you will never change!  You will fail to grow!

#2 Decide what you value. 

            You will only prioritize what you consider valuable. Be honest.  What are your values? Your core beliefs?  Your fundamental principles?

The ancient  aphorism “Know thyself” is needed for real change.  The Bible says, “Examine yourself.”  I’ve heard young people say, “I’m trying to get inside myself.”  The point is we need to really understand our value system.

Christianity calls for its follows to believe in God, accept Jesus as Lord, and follow the teaching of scriptures.  Giving lip service is not enough. Jesus said  to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt 6:33)

Having trouble with Bible study?  Prayer?  Worship?  Godly living?  Maybe you need to reevaluate your real values.

#3 Quit talking about being better, and focus on specific  changes. 

In Philippians 3:14, Paul penned,   ““I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Better is too vague.  Too general. Decide specifically what areas you need to work on! What would make you a better person?  A better father or mother?  Husband or wife?  A better Christian Christian? What do you  need to start doing?  Where are you falling short?  Make it concrete, precise, and specific.

         #4 Develop a plan of action 

         If you want to read the bible every day, you need a program and a plan to follow.  If it is to improve your prayer life, consider times, places and situations in which you need to pray.  Maybe you combine this with Bible study.  Some people journal.  Others utilize the concept of “praying the scriptures.”  Whatever works for you, but you need a plan.

Are there resources you need?  Do you need to partner with someone else?  Push yourself to make it happen!

#5 Make failure your friend!

Everyone fails.  Don’t be a perfectionist that expects unrealistic results. Allow failure to encourage instead of discourage you.  Let it make you stronger and smarter. Use it to develop patience.  Feel good that you are not going to quit.  

Is Change Not Coming Quickly Enough? 

         The concern that change seems slow and causes one to give up is valid.  I think this happens with a lot of people.  However, remember  that most things in life don’t  happen over night.  You must persist to get a college degree.  This is a 4-6 year commitment. Weight loss is gradual.  We didn’t gain it all at once!  And we won’t lose it all once!  .  But a determined program of diet and exercise will pay off within months and certainly within a year.

The same thing is true in regard to personal growth and spiritual change.  Dedicate the next 90 days to really changing, growing and applying spiritual principles to your life.  You will see change.

Let’s have a great 2013 filled with growth and change.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman