Part 1: Embracing Change with Discernment
Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
To that, I would add change.
No matter how old we are, there’s no argument that for any adult today, the world is much different than it was when they were born, whether that was 20 years ago or 80 years ago.
A lot of us spend a huge amount of time and energy trying to avoid change, even fighting change. It never works.
We were created by an unchanging God to be ever-changing people in an ever-changing world.
On an individual scale, we begin to change from the moment we’re conceived—and we change until the day we die.
On a larger scale, the world has been changing since it came into existence as a cloud of dust and gas billions of years ago—and as long as it exists, it will continue to change.
Change is inevitable. Fighting it is a losing battle. Being able to adapt to change, whether it’s a major life event or a small alteration in your daily routine, is an essential skill that we need at every stage of life.
Instead of resisting change, embrace it—but embrace it with discernment, because not all change is good.
Try these ten techniques to embrace change with discernment.
1. See change as an opportunity for growth and learning.
When you develop an open, positive mindset toward change, you can make it a tool for personal development and professional growth. Even when it’s not all good, think of change as an adventure.
Start by figuring out what you’re really dealing with. Understand what is changing and why, and look for the opportunities. How can the process help you learn and grow?
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (Luke 2:52, NLT)
2. When you see change coming, prepare yourself.
When change is on the horizon, think about what you can do to make it as easy as possible. Be proactive, not reactive. Create a plan for dealing with what’s ahead. A plan puts you in charge of the change, instead of the change being in charge of you.
Face it directly. Avoidance only causes more problems, so don’t try to pretend the change isn’t going to happen.
Begin by examining your feelings about the change. Don’t be afraid—even change that should be rejected shouldn’t be feared. If you’re apprehensive, take the time to understand why, reject any irrational concerns, and figure out a way to deal with real issues. Be flexible and adaptable.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9, NIV)
Set goals to help you work through the change. What’s going to happen and how can you equip yourself for it? Do you need information? Do you need to develop new skills? Break that down into manageable chunks.
Even when you’re looking forward to a change, a plan will allow you to maintain control of your actions and reactions.
3. Focus on what you value.
As you navigate change, stay focused on what you value. How is the change going to affect the people and things that are important to you? Your plan for responding to the change should allow you to honor your principles.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
(Romans 12:9-10, NLT)
4. Stay in the present.
Don’t regret the past or worry about the future—those feelings are a waste of time and energy. Let go of yesterday, let tomorrow wait, and savor the present. Be fully engaged in the here and now. Take control of what you can and accept what you can’t.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:34, NIV)
5. Find the positive.
No matter how negative things may seem, there’s always an upside to change. Look for new opportunities the change brings and take advantage of them. Look for humor—kind and gentle humor—in the situation and have some fun. Let the change help you discover some hidden strengths you may not have known you possessed. Let it boost your creative thinking and broaden your horizons. This may take some work, but you’ll be able to find a positive if you look for it, which lets you make the most out of any situation.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
(Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Be on the lookout for part two and the remaining five techniques for dealing with change in next week’s newsletter.
