Jesus challenges us to constantly change our lives for the better

Deborah Carney
October 20, 2009
Mrs. Leontine (Tina) Harris
October 22, 2009
Deborah Carney
October 20, 2009
Mrs. Leontine (Tina) Harris
October 22, 2009

When Jesus started his public ministry, he went around calling for change in people’s lives. He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt. 3:2)


The Greek word for repent is “metanoia” which means “change.” It involves a spiritual conversion or awakening that leads to a fundamental change of character.

Jesus wanted us to constantly change our attitudes, our thinking, our emotional responses to situations in life. He wants us to move from self-centeredness to other-centeredness.


Self-centered people hold grudges, are prejudiced; they are over concerned about what others think of them; they have a negative outlook on life; they put people down and blame them for the way they experience life, and so forth.


Change is difficult. It means letting go and allowing God to work in us to change those things that are keeping us from being the fully alive person God wants us to be. Only living things can change.

The first step in making real changes in our lives is to get rid of all your fears and worries. You will not be able to get anywhere in life if you live in fear.


Jesus keeps telling us, “Fear is useless. Have faith in God.” When you have the courage to do this, you will realize that your fears were unfounded. You will be free to be yourself.


The following are insights about change from some of the great minds throughout the world.

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”


– Henri Bergson


“Change your thoughts, and you change your world.”

– Norman Vincent Peale


“Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.”


– Sydney J. Harris

“Our only security is our ability to change.”


– John Lilly


“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

– Carl Rogers


“Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine.”

– Kathleen Norris

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead

“There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change.”

– Euripides

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”

– Paul Boese

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”

– Karen Kaiser Clark

“You are where you are right now in your life because of the choices you have made and the actions you have taken. If you want to change your life, remember that change starts with you.”

– Jeffrey Keller

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

– Reinhold Niebuhr

Jim Rohn gives us some tips for acting courageously for change our lives:

• Do not worry. Worry is just thinking about all of the bad possibilities, isn’t it? Well, courage is just thinking about all the great possibilities and then acting upon them!

• Do your homework. It helps to get the facts. It helps because then you can make an informed decision that will put your heart and mind to rest. There will probably be a downside but we understand it, choose alternatives, and act decisively instead of those.

Know what you want. Courage is about choice. If you are to act courageously, you need to know what the right choice is. Be clear about your dream and vision.

• Act. What are you waiting for? ACT!