Become New Now

            There's always something we want to change – diet, finances, marriage, relationships, and more.  However, with these goals and desires for change comes a long list of reasons why we cannot make it happen.  This list is just an accumulation of excuses, roadblocks that hinder us from reaching our full potential.  So, how can you have hope when change feels hopeless?  What will make the difference in your goal to be different?

            First, realize that you do not have to wait for the annual "New Year's Resolutions" to be new.  It is never too late or too early to change.  In Genesis 1:14, God reminds us that newness does not only occur once-a-year – "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night.  Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years." (NLT)  Every season sweeps in changes well beyond the climate.  And every day that the sun rises and sets brings a great newness and freshness.  Yet, we overlook these novelties and tend to take it for granted.

            Now is the time for a fresh outlook.  Let us cry out in celebration Lamentations 3:22-23, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."  How can you not be motivated into action by this Scripture?  With God's love, mercy, and faithfulness made new every day, nothing can stand in our way of becoming new now.  Here are some simple steps and Scriptures to memorize to help you become new now:

Be Practical – set yourself up for success.  Baby steps are acceptable and even encouraged to begin with.  Whatever it is, establish a reasonable goal from the outset.  It will take a minor alteration in your life to bring about exponential results.

             "So now finish the work you started.  Then your ‘doing' will be equal to your ‘wanting to do.'" ~ 2 Corinthians 8:11(NCV)

Be Proactive – it's true, change cannot happen from the comfort of your living room.  You have to start somewhere.  Write down your goal, make it measurable, and create an action plan that will change your routine, behavior, or demeanor.  Bottom line make it happen. 

            "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." ~Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

Be Partnered – you cannot do it alone.  Find someone (or two) who can encourage you, motivate you, and hold you accountable.  Maybe it's a friend, family member, or an entire small group. In the end, we are all better together.

            "If one falls down, the other can help him up.  But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NCV)

Be Prayerful – do not forget God's central role in it all.  He needs to be our ultimate Rock and our Foundation to rest upon in times of change.  Start and end your day with God.  Even quick one-sentence prayers throughout the day will be heard by Him.

            "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything.  With thankful hearts offer up prayers and requests to God." ~ Philippians 4:6 (CEV)  

Be Persistent – God never promised that change would be easy.  But don't give up.  Push through and fight on.  God puts you through the fire to refine you and mold you anew.

            "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver." ~ Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

Liza Gant is a MFT Trainee under the supervision of Linda J. Bagley, M.A., LMFT at Marriage & Family Matters Counseling.                                                  

Marriage & Family Matters

Counseling

26451 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite #201

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

800-449-9330

www.MFMCounseling.com