Change is often met Change is often met with suspicion and with suspicion and

FEAR.

But change is a But change is a constant element constant element

in our world today.in our world today.

We often We often RESIST change, but should

view it as an inevitable REALITY.

Biblical Biblical ExamplesExamplesof Changeof Change

The FloodFlood- Gen. 6

Confusion of LanguagesLanguages, Gen. 11

Abram’s call to leaveHOMEHOME

Jesus told the 12He was leaving them

Call to have a renewed MIND MIND Rom. 12:2Rom. 12:2

Promise of new BODIESBODIES

1 Cor. 151 Cor. 15

Why do thingsWhy do thingshave to change?have to change?

Change is notChange is notalways always BAD!

Sometimes it Sometimes it makes way for makes way for

something something BETTERBETTER!!

Lev. 26:9-10• ““I will look favorably upon you, I will look favorably upon you,

making you fertile and making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you. will fulfill my covenant with you. 10 10 You will have such a surplus of You will have such a surplus of crops that crops that you will need to clear you will need to clear out the old grain to make room out the old grain to make room for the new harvest!for the new harvest!””

When is changeWhen is changea good thing?a good thing?

The ProcessThe Processof Changeof Change

Three StagesThree Stages

1. RESISTING change2. TOLERATING change3. EMBRACING change

1 Step at a Time1 Step at a Time

• End the End the ATTACHMENTATTACHMENT to the oldto the old• Transition to the Transition to the NEW• Beginning of a new Beginning of a new NORMAL

Biblical Biblical PrinciplesPrinciplesfor Copingfor Coping

with Changewith Change

Limit your focus to Limit your focus to the concerns of the concerns of

THISTHIS DAYDAY

(Matt. 6:34)(Matt. 6:34)• “So don’t worry about

tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

When things don’t When things don’t go smoothly, go smoothly,

remember: this is remember: this is NORMALNORMAL, and to be , and to be

expected.expected.

1 Pet. 4:121 Pet. 4:12

““Don’t be surprised Don’t be surprised at at the fiery trials you are the fiery trials you are going through, as if going through, as if something strange were something strange were happening to you.”happening to you.”

John 14:27““I am leaving you with a I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world give is a gift the world cannot give. So cannot give. So don’t be don’t be troubled or afraidtroubled or afraid.” .”

Focus on the Focus on the POSITIVEPOSITIVE! !

Guard againstGuard againstPESSIMISMPESSIMISM!!

Phil. 4:8Phil. 4:8Fix your thoughts on what Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about and admirable. Think about things that are excellent things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”and worthy of praise.”

Admit your Admit your LIMITSLIMITS;;Ask God for HELP.Ask God for HELP.

Job 36:19

“Will your riches keep you from distress, or all the forces of your strength?”

Mark 10:27

““Humanly speaking, it Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not is impossible. But not with God. with God. Everything is Everything is possible with Godpossible with God.”.”

HELPHELP someone someone else in difficultyelse in difficulty.

Acts 20:35“I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

In times of change, In times of change, don’t don’t FORGETFORGET what what

God has already God has already done. Be thankful.done. Be thankful.

Ps. 103:2Ps. 103:2““Let all that I am Let all that I am praise the Lord; may praise the Lord; may I never forget the I never forget the good things He does good things He does for me.”for me.”

And remember! And remember! God never God never CHANGES!CHANGES!

Mal. 3:6Mal. 3:6

““I am the LORD, I am the LORD, and and I do not I do not changechange.”.”

Heb. 13:8Heb. 13:8

““Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, same yesterday, today, and today, and forever.”forever.”

Be Like Paul and Silas!Be Like Paul and Silas!