40 Days of Focus

Why is it that we as humans are so resistant to change? I have often asked myself this question. Oftentimes my rationale will convince me that engaging in a new endeavor, acquiring a new skill, or even ceasing an existing behavior will be a benefit to me, and perhaps to those around me. In the process I find a wall of resistance that keeps me from moving towards those goals which would result in those benefits. What is my problem?

I have experienced that in order for a change to occur; there is an exchange that must take place. For every new thing that you wish to acquire, there is a price that must be paid. Oftentimes to acquire a new skill, or master a new discipline, it requires work. Work in many forms has an emotional element to it, which we can associate as “pain.”

What is pain? By definition, according to Merriam-Webster:

2 a: usu. localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury) ; also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action b: acute mental or emotional distress or suffering : grief3plural : the throes of childbirth4plural : trouble, care, or effort taken to accomplish something

I am certain that the very mention of this topic conjures up recollections in you of times in your life, where you experienced pain in the process of change. I have discovered that no change of value occurs without pain. The trouble is that for many of us the pain of change can prevent us from taking the journey. We know the change will be good for us; a new exercise regimen, diet, pursuit of higher education, learning to play an instrument, but the pain of the work associated with it can hinder us from accomplishing it.

So how do we face change? I submit to you that we embrace change when the pain of our present circumstances overrides the real or perceived pain experienced through the process of change that will positively affect our circumstances.

In an attempt to break this down, we each experience pain at times in our lives, as a result of decisions that we have made, or uncontrolled circumstances. In many, but not all cases, we have an opportunity to alleviate that pain through change. The pain of that change is real, but it is overridden by the pain of what we are experiencing at the moment. We discover that the pain of our present can be an effective motivator to move us to change which can result in moving us to a future where that pain is removed.

I share all this with you, because this 40 days of Focus is all about change. Change is hard work, with an emotional component to it. We need to recognize it and be able to overcome the obstacles that stand before us. For many of us, the changes we are seeking to make do not have a significant pain element to them. Instead our focus needs to be to recognize the benefits we will experience as a result of the changes we are making, and use them as a focus point to override the perceived or real pain we will experience as a result of making our changes. As we do this, we will become more immune of the thoughts of quitting the process, because of the pain we may encounter.

TASKS:

Write down specific areas in your life that you want to see change in.
Identify from those areas of change, which you can do something to make it happen.
Identify the areas of change that need the assistance of others to make it happen.
Identify the areas of change that can only be accomplished through the Power of God at work in your life.

STRATEGY:

Begin to write down ways in which you believe will bring the results you are looking for.
Identify the things that you must do to make them happen.
Identify the things that others must do.
Identify the things that God must do.

RESULTS:

The results of change can only manifest if you purpose to embrace the process. Begin today with what you can do achieve your results. I encourage you to pray for the individuals or groups of people that will assist you in achieving your results. Pray also for God’s grace, in equipping you with the resources and making provision to make manifest the results that you are seeking to achieve.

Today's Scripture Verse:

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV