Change

Change. This word creates discomfort—even fear—in most of us at different points in our lives. Oh, it may seem alluring when we daydream about change: a new job, a new home, an upcoming wedding, a healthy eating or exercise regimen. These ideas can quicken our hearts and be exciting places to allow our minds to linger in imagination. But the real honest to goodness work of change? This always involves a little (or a lot of) discomfort.

The discomfort of change, at least in my experience, comes when honest reality differs from what was imagined.

Over the Christmas break I put the finishing touches on a corner of the basement I’d been eyeballing as a place to exercise. The previous owners left behind an old TV in that corner and it seemed like the perfect place to use my long forgotten workout DVDs. I found a few weights, exercise mat, hung up an inspirational poster and cleared away the remaining clutter. I even bought a new workout DVD. Dreams of early morning workouts inspired my planning.

The first morning I headed down to the basement dressed in ratty leggings and an old t-shirt I was excited. My enthusiasm was high—for about 10 minutes. The honest reality of me trying to follow bubbly, fit, twenty-somethings through a workout knocked me to the ground. Literally. I pushed through, but the pain of that half-hearted workout followed me through the week. I winced with every step and reach.

Honest reality did not match my expectations.

We dream of change but do we really want it? This is particularly true when it comes to our Christian walk. In our journey, change can be uncomfortable when an honest assessment doesn’t meet our expectations. The Holy Spirit can also prompt change in us. We may feel impressed to tweak, fix or delete certain aspects of our life. The fear of that change can freeze our spiritual walk for months, years or decades.

How do we manage the discomfort of change in our spiritual walk? The path to peace and assurance is to know—really know—if the Holy Spirit is speaking to us, or if we are listening to our own desires or the counsel of others. How do we know if we’re listening to His voice and His promptings? There are three tried and true ways to know His voice.

1. He will never prompt us to follow something that does not line up with Scripture.

When we are intimately acquainted with Scripture we can compare our dreams and imaginings to His counsel and best plan for us. He will never lead us to something that does not work towards our good.

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

2. God never acts out of character.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible, 1 John 4:8 ends with the beautiful words “for God is love.” God will not ask us to change that is not based on His deep, abiding love for us. God’s character is illustrated in the many names we find for Him in the Bible: Abba, Father, Adonai, Alpha and Omega, Ancient of Days, Author of Life, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Comforter, Creator, Daystar, Desire of All Nations, El Shaddai, Everlasting Father, High Priest, I Am, Jehovah, Jesus, King, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Mighty One of Jacob, Prince of Peace, Savior. These are just a few of the names of God that reflect His character. His promptings will always line up with His character.

3. He will push us beyond what we believe is possible.

When I was nine years old my family moved from one small Canadian town to another. My first school was a K-12 parochial school and very academically driven. At a young age we were divided into groups based on academic ability and even the youngest students were encouraged to give speeches and learn to debate. During the first week of the fourth grade at my new school the teacher divided us into three groups: 100s, Pros and Allstars. I was mortified to discover my name on the Allstars list. My mortification dissolved the next day when I discovered that these groups had nothing to do with academics, but were our lunchtime intramurals teams! My new school pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the world of competitive elementary school sports. I quickly learned where my natural abilities were and were not!

We all know where our comfort zones are and where we most naturally fit in. When the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, He often pushes us out of those natural comfort zones. I believe that He wants us to learn dependence on Him, and for us to search for and find Him. He will prompt changes that allow that in our lives.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart". (Jeremiah 29:13)

The discomfort of change is eased when we know that He is speaking to us and asking us to step out of the frozen wall of spiritual fear and uncertainty. The change will likely still be uncomfortable, but knowing He asks in love makes all the difference. Next week I’ll wake up early and clumsily workout in my basement. It is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I’ve heard Him calling me to take better care of myself this year and so I trust Him. Go Allstars!

Are there other names of God that come to mind that describe His character to you? Share them with us on Facebook.