Looking Forward

Now that 2015 is upon us there are many who have made New Year resolutions but for many it is just another step in a series of failed attempts to change.  The reason for that is simple: far too many people think that by making a resolution is change when it is not change.  If you want to change then one must take the proper steps to insure that change actually happens and it is not a new ban-aid on an old sore this is not getting better.  Within a small blog I cannot go in any depth but I can outline the basic steps to real, genuine change.  First, I need to decide what kind of change is most important at this time in my life.  Far too many people change some surface things when the core issue is never addressed.  When this happens people can become discouraged because they seem to be changing but no real change has taken place.  In saying this it is important to close examination and analysis to identify the type of change that really needs to happen.  Second, once you know what needs to change then you must commit to make the necessary change at all reasonable cost.  A half hearted commitment to change will never work.  Commitment comes before the strategy.  Now lets understand that commitment in itself does not change anything but without it no genuine change can take place.  Third, develop the necessary steps to bring about the change.  This will vary greatly depending upon the type of change you want to accomplish.  Within this step it maybe important to seek out godly counsel.  The more extensive the change the more important it is to surround yourself with others who can help you.  Fourth, the need to look forward.  Looking back maybe necessary in step one but once you begin step four it is vital to be forward looking.  Looking back only creates the opportunity of our souls to create doubt, guilt or discouragement.  Here are a couple of verses that I have turned over and over to help me.  Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Colossians 3:1-2 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above not on earthly things."
May the Lord strengthen and equip you with everything you need to bring about the change you desire to make in your life.