HOW CHANGE HAPPENS

Think about change in your own life…a new job… baby… new home… major
loss… a new government. Sociologists tell us life is a cycle of transitions.
They are occurring faster and faster. Understanding how change happens
helps us confront fear, uncertainty and doubt in change. Know change
happens in stages. Further, the stages are normal.
When we are faced with major change expect our first reaction to be denial.
We will rationalize, look back at the good old days and refuse to hear new
information. We will resist, feel angry and frustrated. We will blame others,
complain, and begin to doubt our ability. As we adjust to the change, we
begin to explore. We may have trouble with focus and decision-making. But,
slowly we look for answers and see new possibilities. Finally, we become
committed to the change. We cooperate, feel balance, participate in team
work and feel focused again.
Also we see from the Bible that Abraham had to undergo a great change of
his life style when he was told by God to move out his own land to a land that
the Lord was to show him. This was such a big change for him but he had no
choice but to adapt to it.
Change is a fact of life.
You can’t stop it. But you don’t have to drown in it. The Bible declares in
Isaiah 43:18-19”Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the
thing of old. Behold I will do anew thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not
know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. So
it is important to know that God is also a master of change. He abolishes the
old to establish the new.
So know yourself, learn specific coping skills to help you navigate, and
develop a positive attitude. Then, no matter what’s changing at work or home,
you can better cope with the changes confidently. Change often means loss.
We all must detach from the familiar, and reattach to the new. Many of us
get stuck along the way, even when we choose the change. Healthy coping
means dealing with losses realistically and letting go of what must be given
up in order to move on.
Some changes occur suddenly. Others build up more gradually. When the
impact hits, you may be in shock, enraged or in a panic. You may feel like
you’re drowning; you may slip back into old, familiar, unproductive habits.
Instead, ask yourself, “What’s at stake?” and “What can I do?” Look at this;
Philippians 4:6-7,”Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And
the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.” So prayer is the answer to the dilemma of
change.
Transition is the longest, most uncomfortable stage. The old is gone; the new
is not yet in sight. This is a time for reflection as well as action. A personal
retreat or repeated brainstorming with people you trust will help you get
clear. But the Bible declares in 1cor 5:17 that the old is gone the new has
come, so one has to really posses and embrace the new by faith even if it is
not there. Philippians 4:8. Change is external and situational.
Change is desired outcome. Conversely, transitions are internal and
psychological. The process of change involves the three transitions:
Letting go is the beginning of change. Before change can occur, we have to
let go of what was. God had to let go His only begotten son to bring a change
on earth.
Once we let go, we enter a second transition called the Neutral Zone. This
is the “gray area” uncomfortable to most of us. Bridges suggests we enter
New Beginnings and the transitions are complete. Like the way Jesus cried
to God “why have you forsaken me”. But the work was done and a lasting
positive change was experienced on earth.
Letting go faster is away to expedite change. Having the right mindset helps.
The people most successful at change are the people who find the opportunity
in change. In that case therefore all those who accepted the change and
believed in the Lord Jesus as their personal savior, they were given the right to
become children of God. Others of course wallowed in rebellion and confusion.
EXPAND YOUR STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH CHANGE
Here are six strategies to help you deal with change:
1) Find your rock…your safe place.
2) Clarify what you want your life to be
3) Stay in touch with your needs.
4) Seek out accurate information. Ask questions. Attend information
sessions. Read outside your field.
5) Define the givens, controllables, and negotiables in the situation.
6) A positive attitude is crucial to adjusting to change successfully. How
you perceive the situation determines how you experience it. It’s easy to
fall into negative ways of seeing difficult experiences.
Reach out.
When you’re feeling low, you may be tempted to keep well-wishers and
friends at arm’s length. You may turn to compulsive behaviours such
as eating, shopping, smoking or working to help ease the tension. But
asking for love, encouragement, honest and caring feedback, or just an
understanding ear can help you get back on course. Reach out to those who
care about you and who can help you see things as positively as possible.
Laugh.
Humor is one of the best stress-relievers going. Take the time to
find the humor in your situation. Humor and worry don’t mix. And
research shows that laughing actually makes people healthier.
Live the wellness way.
Taking good care of your health will help you handle
stressors more successfully. Get exercise and enough rest,
eat a balanced, healthy diet and you’ll be ready for change.
Have a good talk with yourself.
We talk to ourselves all the time -- usually critically. But negative self-talk
makes you feel worse. Instead, notice all the little things you do right.
Make lists of your positive accomplishments and traits and post them
in visible places and know God has a positive plan for you (Jer 29:11).
Rela x and let go.
Successful coping depends on being able to relax and let everything go
from time to time. The body needs to renew itself and recharge. You might try
meditation, visualization, a hot bath, listening to music, or simply sleeping.
If you’re stuck... Get help. If, after trying all the skills suggested here, things
still aren’t working out, don’t give up. Depression is a common, reversible
response to a big change. Many people seek out professional help at times
like this. But the best solution is talk to God through prayer; know that he
created you with a divine purpose (Isaiah 42:6-7).
We are each 100% responsible for ourselves, for our lives and for how
we choose to live. Understand how change happens and expanding our
strategies for dealing with change are ways to position for the future. The
position you and your organization take to address exploding change will
determine your success in future