Resistance to Change

As I was reading my morning devotion and it talked about change, and the resistance we all have to it, even if it is allows for a better quality of life. – let me put this disclaimer in here, I am not speaking of change for change sake type of thing, or going with the newest trendy thing…Now, let me move forward… It does not matter how well educated we are, we resist. We can have all the research, scholarly and antidotal evidence, yet we refuse to move on it, or acknowledge the evidence of being true, right. We would rather remain set in our own ways, and become a hindrance to ourselves than improve our life, processes, relationships, health, career, etc. Not willing to give up, surrender, or submit to what is better for us because it is different, or does not fit in what we expected or know. We not only miserable, we make all around us miserable; unbeknownst to self because we are blind to the truth of what is…Yet, we all know, intellectually, we cannot move forward without change. We work toward it, we are slaves to it, and we demand it from others, without reservation. However, we refuse to trust the truth of change when it is introduced to us because of some unwarranted chip of self-righteous, or false sense of protective security, unwarranted. All because we fail to apply this to us, what we apply to others – everything that is good for you, is not good to you. This is not just some old-adage we say, it one of those truism, we fail to take to heart. The question each of us must ask ourselves- what am I afraid of? Life is about evolution. We evolve, thus we change, grow. It does not mean you have no value, it just that for such a time as this, you were not born to remain in this way. However, owning this, allows for our destiny to be reveal and we can begin to trust without being paranoid or obsessed with our own greatest. When we obsess with our own greatest, we unconsciously diminish our value and give others permission to do the same to us. We give an all-access pass, inviting others to trample on our dreams, devalue our self-confidence and security, and reduce us into a black hole of mental consciousness that reveals itself in selfishness, fear, anger, and unhealthy perspective of others.

The bible has examples, after examples about change and the model is set by God, himself and it is explain what change is really about - John 3:16 17- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (HCSB).” Is more than a gift, it also represents change. God so love the world, he gave His only son. God wanted to get us, give us a chance to be save, and was willing to do what it needed to be done to reach us. God shows us over and over, he is willing to work with us, even in our disobedience. It does not mean there is no consequences, there is. However, change is constantly working on our behave in spite of our unwillingness, fear, anger, selfish because love truly does drives away all things negative so the opportunity to foster a better way is allowed…So, the question is asked again, what are we afraid of? Have we become so intertwined in an unhealthy married to ‘not right’ we refuse to see the light that warms us…Resistance to Change is dangerous and self destructive…God came to save not condemn, it starts with the willingness to change, not resist.

Who have we failed to see?

Who have we failed to see in the social integration of success? Have we failed to see the ones that took the blows, the sharp words, and unrelenting barrage of vile exchanges upon their backs with no rapid retorts, so others could have an opportunity for better? Regardless of color, gender or social economic status, someone made it possible for each of us to be in the place where we are, with certain freedom our forbearers did not have but it is incumbent upon us to remember. Have we gotten so vain and so self absorb, we do not stop to engage anyone who on the surface seem weak, but who are mighty and resilient. Because we say to ourselves – I wouldn't do that; do they not have any backbone – Not realizing others took the pain and strain, so we would be afforded the opportunity to claim victory and success in untapped and uncharted waters. See, it is not an accident we have the kind of opportunity, the wealth, the access to be seen for our innovativeness, and the myriad choices we have. Someone paid a price, and some are still paying a price for us, so we can, even though they know, they never will enjoy. Too many times we fail to see others have worn the mask so we could claim the crown. Others took the fall, so we could achieve. Others walked, stood, fought or smiled, so we could climb without the scars of the struggles. We must see beyond the mask, the surface, and find the truth so we can thank them for their truth and willingness to sacrifice beyond for the moment but for the future that brings both legacy and longevity. Not so we could walk around with a distend image of our self. Not so we could create and use the creation to separate rather than bring us closer, allow us to be more forgiving rather than holding to unforgiveness, teach lessons that we all have value, and we all have different purpose but this does not make us better than the next person. For with all greatness, for all accomplishments, in whatever form, we have a responsibility to carry, to do the waltz of life with confidence laced with humility for the generation behind us, and for each other…Who have failed to see may just be you and me, for we live in a fraction of our potential because we run from the struggles that strengthens us and our resolve…Gen. 50:20 – You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. (HSCB)