My very wise sister was giving me advice and I don't know if she realized it or not, but what she told me is something that I hear repeating in my head on a regular basis. She told me, "True change will only come when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change."
People don't like change. They don't like unfamiliar territory. They don't like being reminded that they are NOT in control. Can't you just hear the dramatic music playing in the background? After all that is the real issue isn't it? As long as everything stays the same and we know what to expect we can continue to fool ourselves into thinking that we are the ones in control of our lives. So, considering this, here's my, wise or not, advice...if you are comfortable in your life, WATCH OUT! You are a perfect candidate for God to come in and shake everything up and remind you who's who and what's what. Like a flash mob, baby!
I am having to remember my sister's advice right now, in my life. Everyday, I find myself thinking it, over and over in my head, hoping that it will marinate my soul into the tender, delicious thing it has the potential to be.
I think that when hard times come, when God decides it's time to shake things up, our first response is to dig in our heels and harden ourselves to what is happening. In my case, I have indulged myself in the world's longest and saddest pity party EVER. "God, why are you doing this to me?"..."What did I do to deserve all of this?"..."How could any of this possibly be your will?"..."God please change this/that/the other!"
Sound familiar?
In my defense, I had NO idea what I was getting myself into when I begged and pleaded with God to change this specific thing in my life, but what I do know is that I didn't want to live ONE MORE DAY with that thing. I didn't want to see it staring me in the face, laughing at me, teasing me that I didn't deserve better.
I DO DESERVE BETTER! So do you! But be prepared...we can't ask for the best that God has for us without letting him get rid of the old things that are in the way.
I am not through this yet...apparently this whole "changing" thing is a process...ugh. BUT, everyday that I allow God to work on me, is one day closer to having this thing out of my life FOR GOOD, and that is what I really want.
So I imagine that tomorrow, when I wake up and this "process" starts to wear on me that I will start thinking to myself, over and over, "The pain of change, the pain of change, the pain of change..."
