Changing Is Difficult
The Lord knows that change takes time. After all, it took Joshua about 7 years to conquer most of the Promised Land (LAB note on Josh 11:18). The Lord is patient in giving us time to change (Gen 6:3). Yet, how often do we resist change? Change involves new ways of thinking and living. It takes extra effort. Unfortunately, others often undermine our attempts to change. It can be threatening for them since their world, too, may be challenged by us changing. We don’t want to let go of what we like, so we hold onto it. Ultimately, we don’t change because we don’t want to repent and live as God directs us (Mt 3:8, NLT; Jn 3:19-20).
However, everyone and everything other than God changes. As Heraclitus put it, “You can’t step into the same river twice.” So how do we best change? We can try to convince ourselves or others of the need to act differently. Will-powered change, though, is useless in furthering God’s kingdom (Jn 6:63). We choose to do what the Holy Spirit wants by relying on His guidance and empowerment (Gal 5:16; Phil 2:12-13). For example, we are commanded to be respectful toward all people (1 Pet 2:17, NIV). Hence, we can choose to act in respectful ways even if we don’t feel like it. We cooperate with God’s grace (1 Cor 15:10).
Let us quit making excuses and start to act the way we know we should, trusting that He will change our attitudes and feelings in the process as He empowers us to do His will.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.