Resilience and our Capacity to Change

By | October 1, 2019

Change is something that is at the same time something often feared and yet vital to the future direction of our lives.  Let’s face it, if we don’t like the direction our lives have gone, then something has to change!

In this respect, I believe the Bible is one of the most hopeful sources of encouragement regarding change in our lives.  Consider some of the terms used especially in the New Testament to describe our relationship to God:

  • Born again
  • Regeneration
  • New life in Christ
  • Conversion
  • Salvation

The Bible makes the clear assumption that, with God’s help, people are capable of positive change. Jesus sought to change the lives of the people He encountered and his primary purpose in coming was one of transformation. God accomplishes this change in our lives through a variety of means.

God Gives us New Life in Christ

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” This is a clear statement concerning the work God does in our heart and life when we put our trust in Christ. This new creation is a fresh start with a new direction and new resources for initiating major change in our lives

God Speaks through our Conscience

We have all had the experience of that inaudible voice prodding us when we were doing something wrong, but I believe that God also prompts us through our conscience to move in the right direction when we are open to His leading. In Isaiah 30:21 we read, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

God Empowers Us

We often know the changes we need to make, but we simply don’t have the strength or commitment to make the change.  One of my favorite passages of Scripture states,

“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the wearyand increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

What a vivid picture of God’s undergirding strength. Truly, with God change is possible!