Another "C" Word to Consider

"Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God" (Ps.55:19).


I have finally learned that we can't get away from change, nor can we control most of the change that comes our way. Change that is slow and gradual is more easily adjusted to. It's those sudden changes that knock us for a loop. So the key to change is learning how to accept it.


When we do accept change and embrace it rather than fight it. Interesting things happen. A popular psychologist of the 70's used to tie ropes around a group of people representing a system or family. When the circle was broken by someone leaving or entering the system, all had to adjust. The system was changed. Fighting the change brought upheaval and frustration. Acceptance brought peace.


"We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is attitude." (Charles R. Swindol)


Attitudes are hard to change when they've built up over time. But according to psychologist William James, behavioral change follows attitude change. When we change our attitude to acceptance, we no longer have to kick and scream, fight and bite, or whatever we do to resist the inevitable.


Our Bible passage is referring to those "others" in our lives who don't want to change themselves because they do not fear God. These are those stubborn folks who hang on to addictions, false beliefs and opinions, judgementalness and antiquated ideas. But we don't have to limit our lives because they've limited theirs. All we can change is ourselves and you'd be surprised how that can effect change in others. Put them in God's hands and offer up the following "Serenity Prayer:"


"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (Reinhold Niebuhr)












As this passage implies,