Embracing Change: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

Summary

Change is an unavoidable part of life, shaping us much like a river shapes its banks over time. In marriage, in faith, and in every relationship, the ability to form a healthy relationship with change is more important than simply trying to maintain harmony or avoid discomfort. We often enter into commitments—like marriage—without having experienced all the seasons and challenges life will bring. As life unfolds, it’s not just the circumstances that change, but we ourselves are changed by them. The key is not to resist this process, but to embrace it, recognizing that God is at work in us, shaping us into the people He created us to be.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that change is something to be feared or resented, especially when it’s forced upon us by circumstances outside our control. Sometimes we want to change, especially when we see the potential for a better version of ourselves. Other times, we resist, clinging to the comfort of the familiar. But true growth—whether in marriage, faith, or any area of life—requires a willingness to change, even when it’s uncomfortable. God sees not just who we are, but who we can become. He sees our potential, even when we or those closest to us cannot.

Our thoughts play a crucial role in this process. The battlefield of the mind is where change is either embraced or resisted. We must learn to recognize and reject thoughts that derail us from our God-given purpose, and instead, align our thinking with the truth of who God says we are. Change is rarely dramatic or instantaneous; more often, it’s a slow, organic process—growth by addition, not multiplication. We must not despise small beginnings or incremental progress, for God rejoices to see the work begin.

Finally, we must come to hate the idea of being stuck—of living another day in patterns and mindsets that no longer fit who we are in Christ. The new life God offers requires new ways of thinking, speaking, and acting. We cannot experience the fullness of what God has for us if we insist on living out of old habits and identities. Instead, we are called to continually yield to God’s transforming work, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.

Key Takeaways

- Embracing Change as a Spiritual Discipline
Change is not just a practical necessity but a spiritual discipline. The willingness to adapt and grow is foundational to every healthy relationship, including our relationship with God. When we resist change, we risk missing out on the fullness of what God wants to do in and through us. Embracing change is an act of faith, trusting that God is shaping us for His purposes. [01:34]

- Seeing Ourselves Through God’s Eyes
God sees our potential far beyond what we or others can perceive. Even when those closest to us overlook or underestimate us, God looks at the heart and sees the future He has prepared for us. Our challenge is to love the future version of ourselves that God already sees, and to trust His vision over our own limited perspective. [13:11]

- Taking Every Thought Captive
Our thoughts can either liberate us or keep us captive. The process of change begins in the mind, where we must learn to identify and reject thoughts that derail us from our purpose. By submitting our thoughts to Christ and allowing Him to shape our inner life, we create space for true transformation and maturity. [21:31]

- Valuing Small Beginnings and Incremental Growth
God often works through slow, organic growth rather than dramatic, instant change. We are called to add goodness, understanding, self-control, and love to our lives, one step at a time. Rather than despising small beginnings or comparing ourselves to others, we should celebrate each step forward, trusting that God rejoices in our progress. [30:46]

- Refusing to Remain Stuck in Old Patterns
To experience the new life Christ offers, we must let go of old ways of thinking, speaking, and acting. Remaining stuck in past patterns prevents us from stepping into the freedom and purpose God has for us. True transformation requires a willingness to leave behind what no longer fits and to courageously embrace the new identity God gives us. [35:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Reflections on Marriage and Change
[02:14] - Life’s Seasons and the Shaping Power of Change
[03:30] - Our Relationship with Change
[04:11] - Marriage Vows and the Reality of Hard Times
[05:31] - Different Attitudes Toward Change
[07:22] - Change as the Foundation of Healthy Relationships
[10:03] - Loving the Future Version of Yourself
[13:11] - God’s Perspective vs. Human Perspective
[16:23] - Hating Thoughts That Derail Your Purpose
[21:31] - The Battlefield of the Mind
[23:27] - The Dangers of Measuring Growth by Size
[26:48] - The Value of Organic, Slow Growth
[30:46] - Do Not Despise Small Beginnings
[32:35] - Change Is a Lifelong Journey
[35:11] - Becoming a New Person in Christ
[37:44] - Embracing the New and Letting Go of the Old
[38:58] - Responding to God’s Invitation to Change

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Change as a Spiritual Discipline

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### Bible Reading

1. 1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
([13:11])

2. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
"We use our powerful God tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."
([21:31])

3. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
([35:11])

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### Observation Questions

1. In 1 Samuel 16:7, what does God tell Samuel about how He chooses people compared to how humans do? ([13:11])

2. According to 2 Corinthians 10:5-6, what are we supposed to do with our thoughts and emotions? ([21:31])

3. In the sermon, what are some ways the pastor described how change shapes us over time, like a river shapes its banks? ([02:53])

4. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say happens to someone who belongs to Christ? ([35:11])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God values what’s on the inside (the heart) more than outward appearance or achievements? How does this relate to how we see ourselves and others? ([13:11])

2. The sermon says that our thoughts can either set us free or keep us stuck. What does it mean to "take every thought captive" in your own words? ([21:31])

3. The pastor mentioned that change is often slow and comes by addition, not multiplication. Why might God choose to work in us through small, gradual changes instead of big, instant ones? ([30:46])

4. What does it look like in real life to "become a new person in Christ" and let go of old patterns? ([35:11])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about loving the future version of yourself that God already sees. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to believe God sees potential in you? What would it look like to trust His vision for your future self? ([10:03])

2. Think about a recent situation where you resisted change, either in a relationship, at work, or in your faith. What thoughts or fears held you back? How could you begin to "take those thoughts captive" next time? ([21:31])

3. The pastor said, "Do not despise small beginnings." Can you name a small step of growth you’ve made recently? How can you celebrate that progress instead of comparing yourself to others or wishing for faster change? ([30:46])

4. Are there any old habits, ways of thinking, or patterns in your life that no longer fit who you are in Christ? What is one specific thing you can do this week to let go of an old pattern and embrace something new? ([35:11])

5. The sermon challenged us to "hate the idea of being stuck." Is there an area where you feel stuck right now? What would it look like to ask God for help to move forward, even if it’s just a small step? ([35:11])

6. The pastor shared that change is easier when we have people who see the best in us. Who in your life encourages you to grow? How can you seek out or strengthen those relationships? ([11:58])

7. The message said that embracing change is an act of faith. What is one area where you need to trust God more as He shapes you? How can your group pray for you in this? ([01:34])

---

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees Our True Potential, Not Just Our Present State
God looks beyond outward appearances and sees the heart, recognizing the potential and goodness within each of us that even those closest to us may overlook. He calls us to trust that He is shaping us for greatness, not because of our own merit, but because He is a great Creator who delights in working through us. Even when others, or even we ourselves, cannot see what God is doing, He is at work within, preparing us for purposes we cannot yet imagine. When we begin to love the future version of ourselves that God already sees, change becomes less daunting and more hopeful, because we are aligning with His vision for our lives. [13:11]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV):
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: Who in your life has spoken words of encouragement or seen potential in you that you have struggled to believe? How might you begin to see yourself through God’s eyes today, trusting His vision for your future?

Day 2: Take Every Thought Captive to Christ
Our thoughts have the power to either liberate us or keep us stuck, and the battle for change is often won or lost in the mind. God calls us to actively take captive every thought, emotion, and impulse, fitting them into a life shaped by Christ. This means not letting rogue ideas or negative self-talk derail our purpose, but instead using the spiritual tools God provides to build lives of obedience and maturity. When we intentionally align our thinking with Christ, we open ourselves to the freedom and transformation He desires for us. [21:31]

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV):
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete."

Reflection: What is one recurring thought or belief that keeps you from moving forward in God’s purpose? How can you intentionally surrender that thought to Christ today and replace it with His truth?

Day 3: Celebrate Small Beginnings and Slow Growth
God delights in the small, steady steps of growth that often go unnoticed by the world. While we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others or become discouraged by slow progress, Scripture reminds us not to despise small beginnings. Each act of faith, each small change, and each added virtue is precious to God and is part of the process of becoming mature and complete in Christ. Trust that God, who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion, and rejoice in every step forward, no matter how small it seems. [30:46]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV):
"For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. 'These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.'"

Reflection: What is one small change or step of growth you can celebrate today, even if it feels insignificant? How can you thank God for the work He is doing in you, one step at a time?

Day 4: Embrace the New Life Christ Offers
When we belong to Christ, we are made new—our old ways of thinking, reacting, and living are meant to be left behind. True change happens when we stop trying to fit new life into old patterns and instead allow God to transform us from the inside out. This means letting go of being stuck in who we were and embracing the freedom and purpose of who we are becoming in Christ. The journey may be slow and sometimes uncomfortable, but God promises that as we surrender, He will continue to shape us into the people He created us to be. [35:11]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV):
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you still living out of old habits or mindsets? What is one practical way you can step into your new identity in Christ today?

Day 5: Change Is a Lifelong Journey of Surrender
God’s work of transformation in us is ongoing, requiring our continual submission and willingness to be changed. Even when we feel stuck or frustrated by slow progress, God invites us to trust that He is not finished with us yet. Each day is an opportunity to shake off what no longer fits and to move forward, even if only by inches, toward the person God is calling us to be. As we surrender our plans, our pace, and our resistance, we make room for the Holy Spirit to lead us into greater freedom, maturity, and purpose. [40:11]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV):
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Where do you feel most stuck in your spiritual growth? What would it look like to surrender that area to God today and trust Him to keep working, even if the change is slow?

Quotes

A successful marriage isn't based on a spouse's ability to form a healthy relationship with the other spouse hang on what I mean is that it is based on an individual's ability to form a healthy relationship with change and in the ability to form a healthy relationship with change you are then capable of forming healthy relationships with your spouse with your kids with your co-workers with your friends with yourself with God so here's what I mean. [00:01:28]

There are a lot of difficult circumstances there are events that happen in our lives there are difficulties and curveballs that we get thrown there are some celebrations along the way and then there are countless moments that impact us and shape us much like water shapes the banks of a river over time shifting and changing. [00:02:46]

Each one of us as individuals processes responds reacts differently to all that life does in us and around us and to us for that matter and then when two people have decided to go through life together tethered by the relationship the covenant of marriage because let's be honest when you get married most of us at least use something in our vows that says nothing will separate us except for death. [00:04:02]

The reality is that change is not always as hard as we make it out to be we don't have to hate it as much as we do grab your notes if you don't already have them but before we do let's ask this question again and get your answers so it's a difficult battle but I can eventually do it 46% of you oh and tied with it's challenging but I succeed more than I fail 7% said "It's almost impossible for me." [00:09:11]

Change will be easier once I start loving the future version of me that God already sees loving the future version of me that God already sees so I don't think it's arrogant or egotistical or narcissistic to think that you were created for greatness to do something meaningful and impactful and I would even go as far as to say worldchanging i don't think that's egotistical at all as a matter of fact I think it is a humble acknowledgment that you have a creator. [00:10:03]

You are created to do great things because you were created by a great God but I will also say this can we have somebody tap one or both of the thermostats just it's a wee bit more i mean you're probably feeling great but you're going to start seeing um pools of uh of enthusiasm up here in just a second so the problem is though that you and I don't even see a fraction of the potential that we have in our life we don't see it. [00:11:04]

Just as a good friend a spouse a family member can help you identify a blind spot where you're falling short they can also help you identify blind spots where you don't see the goodness in you you don't see your potential they don't you don't see your own but they do and they'll help you identify that but even if you were capable of seeing your potential and even if they were capable of seeing a lot of potential in you that you don't see in yourself. [00:12:26]

There is no one that sees you better than God sees us nobody sees you with more potential than God sees you nobody that sees you and knows you more than God knows you and still sees all the good that you can do i want you to hear this god sees the worst of you and still bets on the potential of you. [00:16:09]

Thoughts will be either the most liberating and freedom giving thing that takes place in your life or thoughts will also be what holds you in captivity stuck in not changing in all the ways that God challenges you to change that is why we have to above all things and this is scripture when I say this we have to above all things get control of the battlefield of our mind right. [00:21:05]

Every one of us really when you think about change wants maturity we want the fullness of something to happen in our life the the perfection of something not not perfect without error but meaning the fullness fully complete is what perfect means in those passages that's what we're aiming for three is this change will be easier once I start loving each change I make no matter how small it seems. [00:22:40]

There are churches that figured out and this has been within my my time in ministry churches figured out that by doing the same things that companies do to grow their brand and to grow their popularity and to grow their customer base that churches could do similar things like that and grow their churches and they were absolutely 100% right and I don't even think that all of those things are probably as sinister as evil as I just kind of made them sound it sounds very commercial and very consumeristic which it is in a lot of contexts but I also think there's a a real need for us to be better marketers like Jesus was good. [00:23:18]

But as she grows organically and health is added every day and she goes through the changes it can feel like this isn't coming quick enough when is she going to learn how to feed herself when's she going to learn how to walk without falling when's she going to learn how to do this when can it be safe for her to do that those feel like sometimes difficult journeys and seasons to go through but I will tell you this that God most often at least through scripture chooses the path of slow growth of organic growth in turning us into mature fully developed people and making us who we're supposed to be. [00:26:57]

If you keep doing that the addition that just adding and adding and adding and building and building and building in this way it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ had made your lives useful and meaning it shows that you get it it shows that maturity and health comes from addition i don't think I would trust a house they can build in a weekend i want them to take their time if I'm buying a new house and it's being built for us oh my gosh I can't wait to get in it but if they called and they said "Hey I know we said six months it actually took six days you guys can move in." [00:29:38]

Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin to see the plum line in Zerubbable's hand to just see him out there measuring just to say look at that it's a straight line we've got the blueprints for growth don't despise the small changes that are happening in your life and I want to encourage you this with this in Philippians 1:6 it says "And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until the task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns." [00:31:04]

The responsibility of change is for you to yield and submit to the changes that God wants to do in your life he's doing good things in you he started good things in you you just have to get out of the way sometimes and let him do it and here's the even better news it's just going to keep going and going and going you don't have to say "My gosh I'm 50some years old i'm 70some years old i haven't finished changing yet." [00:31:55]

You're just going to keep growing and maturing and changing and adapting because I want to tell you this people and circumstances and culture and society changes and so you need to as well we get so angry we hold our ground because we don't want to change with this world that's changing around us and I'm telling you you have to to be fully mature and developed in Christ you have to because God wants to use your voice in this generation like he did in the last generation and the generation before that. [00:32:17]

Chatbot

What role does loving the future self play in change?

How does God see potential beyond human judgment?

Why is slow, organic growth healthier than rapid expansion?