Georgia was a black-mouthed cur that we owned many years ago. She was a friendly and affectionate dog, whose main drawback was that, to keep her civilized, she required a long walk every day. She was a dog who liked regular habits. She didn’t like variation in our walking route. The mornings when there was anything different, she would bristle and bark and refuse to keep going. A new sign on the sidewalk was a dangerous threat. An unexpected roadworks cone required three days of peacemaking. Fallen branches necessitated wide, suspicious detours. Georgia was a dog who didn’t like change.
Like Georgia, we are often troubled by changes in our regular routine. These disturbances can be enormous upheavals, like a physical debility caused by aging or disease, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job or a dream. Change can also come in smaller forms, such as a new computer update, the discontinuation of a favorite product, or a change in the bulletin at church. Large or small, we are often distressed by change, and we tend to view it as a hardship to endure. Our response to change can be much like Georgia’s: We act with suspicion. We bark and bristle and refuse to keep going.
But is this the way Scripture teaches us to handle change? Interestingly, when we examine God’s Word, we learn that hardship, including change, is often God’s providential tool for growing His people in godliness. Change is a God-ordained opportunity for spiritual growth and sanctification.
Change Exposes the Heart
In Luke 6:45, Jesus tells his listeners a parable based on a familiar natural truth: You know what kind of tree you’re looking at by the kind of fruit it produces. He goes on to compare people to those trees by noting that good people do good things because they have good treasure in their hearts, and bad people do bad things because they have bad treasure in their hearts. Jesus concludes his thought by stating that the things we say come out of the abundance of our hearts.
And here is where change becomes a spiritual blessing to each one of us. We are often blind to our own sins. How we respond to change allows us to discover what kind of treasures we have stored in our hearts. What is blatant sin to God, and probably to many others, is now exposed to us by our mouths and actions. Recognizing our sin enables us to confess it, turn away from it, and experience a more profound love and appreciation for Christ’s forgiveness and grace.
Change Reveals Areas That Need Growth
God has given us such mercy! He uses the trials that we go through—including change—to reveal areas in our lives that are spiritually stunted. Often, when change exposes our hearts, we begin to see that our reaction is only one small facet of our sin problem. We may come to the shocking realization that there is an entire area in our lives that needs growth. We may realize we struggle with control or pride. We may be made aware that we are serial complainers or slanderers. We may recognize that we worry more about what others think than what God wants.
Don’t be discouraged! This awareness is also a blessing from God. Jesus said that He came into the world as light so that whoever believes in Him might not remain in darkness (John 12:46). Change shines a spotlight on areas where we need transformation. Thankfully, we serve a God who specializes in transforming hearts and who has given us His Holy Spirit so that we are willing and able to walk in His ways (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Change Invites Dependence on God and His Word
How often have times of difficulty or sorrow led you to spend more time in God’s Word? Periods of hardship frequently drive the Christian to the Bible. The Psalmist acknowledges this when he says, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). He is pointing out that there is blessing in trials and sorrow when they cause us to turn to God and His Word.
Change, big or small, is an invitation for us to cast aside the usual way we respond to discomfort and grow in our dependence on God and His Word. What a blessing that this life gives us so many opportunities to do this! What would it look like if you saw the changes you experience in this life as reminders to spend time meditating on the words of life given to us by our never-changing God?
Conclusion: Change is Not the Enemy, Sin Is
I hope you are beginning to see that change, though difficult, is a gift that God has given us. It exposes our hearts, it reveals our sin, and it shows us how much we need to depend on the transforming power of God’s Word. Our dog, Georgia, never did outgrow her fear of change; however, while instinct or habit defines a dog’s responses, they do not have to define ours. Thankfully, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for us, we have been set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). God has set us free to live in the freedom of a life submitted to Him and His Word (Galatians 5:1). This means that as Christians, we do not avoid change so that things will return to “normal.” Instead, we can view circumstantial change as an opportunity to turn away from sin and toward God as we set our hearts on growing in godliness. Changes in life are catalysts for a greater, lasting change into Christlikeness.
Application
How can we spiritually grow during times of change? Here are a few suggestions:
- What came out of your mouth the last time you experienced change? Did you complain? Did you get angry? Confess this to God. Is there anyone you need to go to and ask forgiveness? Go and make things right.
- Has your experience with change exposed a pattern of sin or weakness? After confessing this to the Lord, there are things you can do to grow. Use a concordance to study Scriptures related to the topic (e.g., anger, laziness, discontentment). Pray about and apply what you learn. Ask a pastor or biblical counselor for books that address your problem. Along with the Bible, read it and apply what you learn. Meet with a pastor or a biblical counselor to receive help casting off the sin that has entangled you, so you can run with endurance the race God has set before you (Hebrews 12:1).
- Make Bible study, biblical meditation, and prayer habits now. If you already spend time regularly in the Bible and prayer, increase your practice to daily study, or add to your daily time. Need a study tool? The ESV Study Bible is helpful. Ask a church leader or biblical counselor for more tool ideas.
- As you work through the difficult blessings that change can bring, memorize 1 John 1:9— “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
