Three Ways to Handle Change

As a leader, I value predictability, stability, and security. However, the only thing I can be assured of is that change will consistently disrupt those values. Change is not easy to handle at the best of times. 

Change can be complex, calling for responses not only on business fronts but also in our personal lives. However, as Christians, we can confidently serve a God who never changes even if He is full of surprises in how he accomplishes His work in and through us.

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Throughout scripture, we find examples of how change was and can be handled today. Since we’re so often facing change, especially during the recent pandemic, how can we handle it with:  Confidence, Courage and Character.

1. Confidence During Change

In times of change, we need a foundation of core values to place our complete confidence. Humanly speaking, as we saw during the pandemic, virtually everything can be put up for change. This is why, we must place our rock bottom confidence in our God, who is large and in charge. So then, we can be confident that:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

This confidence in God assures us that no matter what’s happening, He knows what He’s up to as Isaiah wrote,

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

What evidences do you have that God is at work in your life

through the changes that, as a leader, you have and are facing?

2. Courage During Change 

We read about a radical change God presented to Abram in Genesis that required incredible courage to act upon.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people

and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-3

God called for a complete overhaul of Abram’s career, dreams, destiny and even a name change. All the anchors that you and I count on for stability were challenged. However, Abraham believed fully in God’s promise and His presence, which provided him with the security to pursue revolutionary change.

Now, it’s seldom, if ever, that we’re called to make such massive changes as Abraham did. However, we can take courage from the words of Isaiah when facing changes:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,

for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never 

leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

How have you demonstrated courage in the

face of recent challenging changes?

3. Character During Change

Change can have a tremendous impact on many facets of our business practice. However, what’s impacted even more deeply is our character. How we process change deep within will become clearly evident to those around us.

I can respond to changes with death, doom and gloom, or see changes as opportunities, possibilities, and hope. Paul expresses this well when he said to the Corinthians: 

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary

troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since

what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16 -18

God uses change to serve as a character builder in our lives. He is striving to develop and shape our lives to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, our response needs to be full of faith and not fear, for God is using change to shape our character. 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve

what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

What changes have you witnessed in your own life

when it comes to how you handle changes now compared to in the past?

Change is natural, normal, and inevitable but how we respond to it makes all the difference in the world. As followers of Christ, we can take confidence in the unchanging nature of our Heavenly Father. We can have courage in the face of change because we are assured that God’s promises and His presence are with us. We can rest assured that God is constantly using change to develop Christ-like character within us.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose. Roman 8:28

Looking through God’s perspective, change that can often be seen as an enemy can now be seen as an opportunity to draw closer to God as your dearest friend and advocate.