Written by: Kimberly McKinney

Founder of Becoming Whole Ministries

Have you heard the old clique, “No one likes change except for a wet baby?”  The person who first spoke these words truly understood human nature.  I will be the first to admit that change is not easy, but I believe yielding to change is necessary.  Personally, I like to categorize change in two ways.  When I do this, it helps me cope better with the circumstances in my life.  The two categories are unexpected changes and expected changes.

Unexpected changes happen suddenly.  When this type of change occurs, it can cause uncertainty, instability, and fear.  These feelings make one experience a sense of being out of control.  Often these changes are difficult to accept and most people resist or avoid them if possible.  Unexpected changes can be beneficial or they could be harmful.  The deciding factors of whether or not the changes are beneficial or harmful depends on how one perceives the changes will affect them and how the changes are handled.  Examples include: losing a job or losing a spouse.  Many times it is hard to recover from these types of changes.

On the other hand, expected changes are intentionally decided by the one initiating the changes or is known about in advance.  Usually, we feel better prepared for these changes.  Expected changes are perceived to be less drastic because one feels more in control of the outcome.  You would think this would make it easier or more beneficial, but this is not always the case.  A great example is deciding to lose weight because you desire a healthier lifestyle.  Is losing weight a good idea?  Of course it is!  Losing the weight is not the issue.  The issue is making an intentional decision to change one’s diet and to increase one’s physical activity.  Not only making the decision but committing to the process.  Simply put, one must be willing to exchange poor habits for better habits.

With that said, I am convinced that yielding to change is important if the society in which we live is to continue thriving.  By now you may be asking the question, “How can I yield to change?”  Individuals can yield to change by seeking God’s face, by allowing God’s Word to renew the mind, and taking the time to invest in others.

Prayer is communication with God.  That means not only do we talk to God, but if we listen; we will hear Him speak to us in various ways.  Specifically, God speaks through His Word.  If we ask Him, I know He will help us deal with the unexpected changes as well as the expected changes that happen on a daily bases.

Prayer can also create a desire to have one’s mind renewed.  Renewing the mind is when an individual experiences a change in one’s mind and one’s heart.  This transformation is an intentional process because one has chosen to be in God’s Presence and allowed Him to reveal His Will through His Word.  Thus, change will be brought forth.

Once a person has submitted to the changes that God has started, then one is ready to initiate change in the community by investing in others.  Investing in others can take many forms.  One specific way to invest in others is establishing a mentoring relationship with someone that needs to experience the same transformation you have experienced.

Eventually, I believe with the gradual implementation of these strategies, true change will be manifested in our communities.  Remember learning to yield to change begins when each person submits to personal transformation.

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