Hennie Symington

Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

Ephesians 4:23-24

Tired of the same old thing day in and day out? As we wend our weary way to the end of yet another year, we ask ourselves: What became of our new year’s resolutions? Wasn’t I going to do things differently this year? And here I am and nothing has changed. Then may I quote Charles Darwin, author of the Origin of the Species to you: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

Are you willing to allow yourself to be open to change?

Are you able to accept that you may not know all the answers and that there may be more than one way to interact with those closest to you.

What do I need to change?

The first step is to recognise the need for change and secondly to be open to hearing what others are saying about the way you relate to others. Listen to your own heart. Hold up the Scriptures to see yourself in the light of God’s Word. Here are just some things you might want to change:

Change negative thought patterns to positive thought patterns.

Change the need to control to the desire to cooperate.

Change rejection to acceptance.

Change judgement to forgiveness.

Change stagnation to growth.

Change boredom to awe and fascination.

Change withholding love to choosing to be generous.

Change anger to an openness to understand.

Change indifference to caring.

Change anxiety to calmness.

Change selfishness to gratitude.

Rely on God’s power to change you.

So be “strong and of good courage.” These words are frequently used in connection with some great and difficult task or facing a strong enemy and the realisation of our utter insufficiency of all human strength. Waiting upon God is one of the deepest secrets of its blessedness. Be assured that God will be your strength in times of change and new beginnings.

Prayer: Dear God, we don’t like change. We are often so used to being disgruntled that we have forgotten the taste of joy. Please awaken in us a sense of joy and happiness so that we can be a blessing to our fellowmen. Amen