Helping Each Other Through Change
by Rick Warren
“I hope you will be patient with me …” (2 Corinthians 11:1a, NLT)
In order to manage change, you must remember four things:
Love each other
The first mistake most people make during change is to focus on what they’ve lost, instead of what has been gained – and that creates fear. The antidote to fear is love: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear …” (1 John 4:18, NKJV)
It’s impossible for love and fear to exist in the same environment – If we’ll focus on loving each other, then we’ll break out of the self-centeredness that often emerges during change. The love that conquers fear involves thinking about others instead of focusing on your own needs – and the more you love, the less you fear.
Listen to each other
During transition, we must be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry …” (James 1:19) If we get the first two right (quick listening, slow speaking), then the third (slow anger) will become automatic. It reflects the concept of “seeking to understand” before trying “to be understood.”
“Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.” (James 1:19, MSG)
Level with each other
We must speak the truth in love to each other if we’re going to walk together through change. It is human nature to avoid confronting someone directly, but then we fall into problems – even gossip – by talking to other people about the person we need to confront.
We can’t get close to each other until we deal honestly with our fundamental differences. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
Liberate each other
Finally, we need to show each other grace – “cut each other some slack” – during transition. Liberating each other means letting go and treating someone else the same way Jesus treats you.
In other words, we shouldn’t lean into legalism or lording mistakes over others. People will make mistakes, and our response should be to recognize that these things will happen. The goal is not to make those who make mistakes feel bad, but rather to let them get over it and move on.
Question: Who do you know that you could encourage through changes in their lives, and who could in return encourage you?
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/08/rw_helping/
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February 8th, 2010 at 6:12 am
EXCELLENT MESSAGE
February 8th, 2010 at 6:33 am
I felt God is answering my questions with this message. Amazing!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:53 am
This is fantastic. Such a good reminder. I admit I do not do well with change.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
This message is so amazing, so encouranging and brings heart at ease and am really and certainly sure that we need to love one another as the lord loved us because love is kind,patient and keeps no record of harm, we need to tell the truth to others, listen to others and understand them, and help one another. may God be with you and help you to touch the lives of many billions of people.
Be blesssed
February 10th, 2010 at 1:06 am
Its strange but just when I'm thinking about an aspects of some situations and figuring out solutions, "thoughts about God" puts in some light and insight on the same thoughts of mine. Its surely a blessing to get these insight!