How Bad Do You Want Change?

With the new year right around the corner, I can smell the "new year, new me" in the air. (yes, I'm rolling my eyes at you lol). But if we truly want change, there are some things we need to understand.

Often when we are discontent with our lives, we can identify the circumstances and people around us that wish would change so that we could have an easier time achieving what we desire. How often have we said, "I had to leave that job/person/etc alone."

When we find ourselves in an uncomfortable place, our prayers tend to go: God move in this situation on my behalf. In no uncertain terms, we are looking for God to:

- change the hearts of the people that are giving us a hard time,

- punish the people that are giving us a hard time,

- make someone else see things the way that we do,

- provide a ram in the bush--some miracle to ease our discomfort--whether it be financial, - for a promotion, approval, to pass a difficult test, etc.

But less often do we say, "God change me. Help me to:

-Be more understanding of others that I don't agree or get along with

-change our attitude about others, help me to be more self-aware

-help me to better prepare for things, have more discipline, be more responsible in certain areas"

To have this kind of maturity and faith, we must remember that anything we face, whether good or bad, God allows it.

Satan has to ask for permission to do anything. Don't take my word for it, reference Job 1: around verses 6-12. So if God allows it in your life, He is doing so, not so your circumstances can be comfortable or to make them better, but to make you better.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2–4).

I had a trying time a while back, and in the midst of it, I told God, I know I have to be in this place now (because of decisions I made), and I know that you are going to bring me out of this. But while I'm in it, God change me. Help me to improve my way of thinking and let me gain wisdom so I can move better after this. And things didn't let up right away, I was still in that situation for some time after, but when it WAS over, and I was back on stable ground, I moved differently, I thought differently, and I WAS different. I was better.

Don't waste your hardship. Don't spend the entire time asking "why me?" Let's ask God what are you trying to show me in this? How are you trying to change me?"

So I challenge you, the next time you are frustrated, instead of only praying that everything around you moves and bends to meet your will, ask God to change you so that you may bend to meet His.