Are you GOOD with change or could you be stuck in a rut???
One of the things I hear my clergy friends share, although I’ll confess, it doesn’t really happen a lot at West (or that I am aware of, anyway), is that people SAY they want to change, but then when it comes time for it to happen, they really don’t.
“We want to reach new people and introduce them to Christ!” is something they often hear in their churches!
That translates to, “We want to reach new people and introduce them to Christ as long as they look like us, think like us, and want to do the things we’ve already been doing. They better not come in an want to make any waves.”
And that isn’t just true in church; it is also true in life!
We can say we want change but then successfully making that change is hard! Our thoughts and emotions prevent us from creating behavioral change, even when it will improve our lives.
For instance, I KNOW I should stop drinking diet sodas. I’ve seen that there is significant research linked to the fact that the “fake sugar” can be attributed to Alzheimer’s and strokes. But . . . I can justify why that change for me is too difficult!
In reality – my excuses are just bogus. The bottom line is I am not REALLY ready to change.
Amy Morin, a licensed clinical social worker, college psych instructor, and psychotherapist writes about signs that we really aren’t ready to change, even if we think we are.
Check out these statements and see if any apply to you (Morin p. 54-55):
- You tend to justify a bad habit by convincing yourself that what you are doing isn’t really all that bad.
- You experience a lot of anxiety around changes to your routine.
- Even when the situation you are in is bad, you worry if you change something, it might make it even worse.
- Whenever you attempt to make a change, you struggle to stick with it.
- When your boss, family, or friends make changes that affect you, it is difficult for you to adapt.
- You think a lot about making changes but put off doing anything different until later.
- You worry that any changes you make aren’t going to last.
- The thought of stepping outside your comfort zone just seems to scary.
- You lack the motivation to create positive change because it is too hard.
- You make excuses for why you can’t change, like, “I’d like to exercise more, but my spouse doesn’t want to go with me.”
- You have difficulty recalling the last time you purposely tried to challenge yourself to become better.
- You hesitate to do anything new because it just seems like too big of a commitment.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”