Embracing Change: Lessons for a Better Future

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Reflection for Lasting Change

In times of crisis, we often find ourselves making changes out of necessity. However, once the immediate threat passes, there's a tendency to slip back into old habits. This pattern is common in many areas of life, including finances, relationships, and personal growth. To truly benefit from the experiences we've endured, it's crucial to be intentional about the changes we make and ensure they are lasting. By pausing to reflect on what we've learned, we can avoid missing out on valuable lessons and create a better future for ourselves. [02:57]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one habit or pattern in your life that you tend to revert to after a crisis? How can you intentionally work on changing it for the better today?

Day 2: Financial Wisdom and Discipline

The recent challenging times have underscored the importance of financial discipline. Many have realized the necessity of saving and living within their means. Financial stability requires not only discipline but also foresight and planning. By practicing self-control and planning for the future, we can prevent financial crises and provide stability for ourselves and our families. This season serves as a reminder that financial wisdom is not just about managing money but about making intentional choices that align with our values and goals. [11:34]

"Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." (Proverbs 21:20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current financial habits. What is one specific change you can make today to align your spending with your long-term financial goals?

Day 3: Strengthening Relational Connections

The pandemic has exposed cracks in our relationships that we might have ignored in the past. Now is the time to address these issues and strengthen our connections with loved ones. By being intentional about our relationships, we can build stronger bonds and create a supportive community around us. This period has highlighted the importance of addressing relational issues and investing time and effort into nurturing our connections. By doing so, we can create a more loving and supportive environment for ourselves and those we care about. [19:13]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs strengthening. What is one specific action you can take today to invest in that relationship?

Day 4: Personal and Spiritual Examination

This challenging period has prompted many to examine their worldviews and faith. It's an opportunity to grow spiritually and deepen our understanding of our relationship with God. Whether you're questioning your faith or finding it strengthened, pay attention to these internal tensions. They can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper understanding of your spiritual journey. By embracing this opportunity for examination, we can emerge with a stronger and more resilient faith. [21:32]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your faith that has been challenged recently? How can you seek God's guidance to grow in this area today?

Day 5: Creating Lasting Change for the Future

To ensure that we carry the lessons of this season into the future, we must be intentional about creating reminders and making lasting changes in our lives. This involves setting up systems and practices that help us remember the insights we've gained and apply them consistently. By doing so, we can write a better story for ourselves and be truly better for the experiences we've endured. This is an opportunity to create a future that reflects the growth and wisdom we've gained during this time. [26:34]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific reminder or practice you can implement today to ensure that the lessons you've learned during this season are not forgotten?

Sermon Summary

In these challenging times, many of us are yearning for a return to normalcy. However, it's crucial to recognize that simply reverting to our old ways would be a missed opportunity. Instead, we should strive to be better for the experiences we've endured. This period has taught us valuable lessons, and it's essential to pause and reflect on what we've learned and how we can carry these insights forward.

One of the key lessons is the importance of self-awareness and intentionality. We often find ourselves making changes only when faced with a crisis, but once the threat subsides, we tend to revert to our old habits. This pattern is evident in various aspects of life, whether it's our finances, relationships, or personal growth. To truly benefit from our experiences, we must be intentional about the changes we make and ensure they are lasting.

Financially, this season has highlighted the need for better self-control and planning. Many of us have realized the importance of saving and living within our means. It's a reminder that financial stability requires discipline and foresight. Relationally, the pandemic has exposed cracks in our relationships that we might have ignored in the past. Now is the time to address these issues and strengthen our connections with loved ones.

On a personal level, this period has challenged our worldviews and faith. It's an opportunity to examine our beliefs and grow spiritually. Whether you're questioning your faith or finding it strengthened, pay attention to these internal tensions. They can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper understanding of your relationship with God.

As we move forward, let's not let this experience go to waste. Let's be intentional about the lessons we've learned and the changes we need to make. Create reminders of this season to ensure that we carry these insights into the future. By doing so, we can write a better story for ourselves and be truly better for it.

Key Takeaways

1. Intentional Reflection: It's essential to pause and reflect on what we've learned during this challenging time. Without intentional reflection, we risk reverting to old habits and missing out on valuable lessons. [02:57]
2. Financial Wisdom: This season has underscored the importance of financial discipline. Practicing self-control and planning for the future can prevent financial crises and provide stability. [11:34]
3. Relational Growth: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of addressing relational issues. Now is the time to strengthen our connections and address any cracks in our relationships. [19:13]
4. Personal and Spiritual Examination: This period has challenged our worldviews and faith. It's an opportunity to examine our beliefs, grow spiritually, and deepen our understanding of our relationship with God. [21:32]
5. Creating Lasting Change: To ensure that we carry the lessons of this season into the future, we must be intentional about creating reminders and making lasting changes in our lives. [26:34]
** [26:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Ready for Normal
[00:39] - The New Normal
[01:02] - Lessons from the Past
[01:49] - Better for It
[02:33] - Facing the Present
[02:57] - Learning from Pain
[03:14] - C.S. Lewis on Pain
[04:32] - Personal Stories
[06:47] - Why We Resist Change
[07:28] - Intentional Growth
[08:30] - Human Nature and Habits
[09:25] - Financial Lessons
[10:32] - Financial Realities
[17:29] - Relational Insights
[20:23] - Personal and Spiritual Growth
[26:34] - Creating Reminders
[28:51] - Looking Forward

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Proverbs 25:28 suggest about the consequences of lacking self-control? How does this relate to the financial lessons discussed in the sermon? [13:35]
According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of facing trials, and how does this connect to the idea of being "better for it" as mentioned in the sermon? [25:20]
In Romans 5:3-5, what progression is described as a result of suffering, and how might this apply to personal and spiritual growth during challenging times? [21:32]
How did the sermon illustrate the tendency to revert to old habits once a crisis is over, and what examples were given? [06:47]

Interpretation Questions

How might the imagery of a city with broken walls in Proverbs 25:28 be applied to one's financial habits and the importance of self-control? [13:35]
In what ways can the testing of faith, as described in James 1:2-4, lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of one's relationship with God? [21:32]
How does the progression from suffering to hope in Romans 5:3-5 reflect the potential for positive change and resilience in the face of adversity? [21:32]
What are some practical steps individuals can take to ensure that the lessons learned during challenging times lead to lasting change, as suggested in the sermon? [26:34]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent financial decision. How might applying the principle of "I want is better than I owe" change your approach to future financial choices? [11:34]
Identify a relationship in your life that may have been strained during recent challenges. What specific actions can you take to address and strengthen this relationship? [19:13]
Consider a personal belief or worldview that has been challenged recently. How can you explore this tension to gain a deeper understanding of your faith? [21:32]
What is one habit or behavior you reverted to after a crisis subsided? How can you create a reminder or accountability system to prevent this in the future? [26:34]
Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a situation. How can the lessons from James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5 help you find joy and hope in future trials? [21:32]
How can you intentionally reflect on the lessons learned during this challenging season to ensure they lead to lasting change in your life? [02:57]
What is one specific area in your life where you can practice greater self-control to prevent future crises? How will you start implementing this change today? [13:35]

Sermon Clips

If we're wise, we will pause and ask the question, what have I learned? What have we learned? And what do we wanna carry forward? We'll pause and ask the question, what have I learned? What have we learned? And what do we want to carry forward? [00:46:04]

And if we don't stop and ask this question, we will forget. And it would be a shame because pain without gain, you know this, pain without any gain is a shame. Now I realize for some of you, you are not ready to ask this question because your response to me so far is Andy I can't think about how to be better for it because I'm still in it. [01:16:53]

But here's what I do know, if we don't pay attention, we will not benefit from it. And our tendency will be to rush back to the old normal and miss the lessons learned in this new season or this new normal. Now to help us understand this just a little bit better, C.S. Lewis many years ago in his little book "The Problem of Pain" explores this very tension of what should we learn and when is it too early to begin learning? [02:44:05]

Because in order for us to gain through this pain, we have to be intentional. Otherwise, we will all drift back to the normal that we used to have and never learn anything from it. And that's why I wanted to poke and prod just a little bit for the next few weeks. Listen to how he finishes this idea, "But let Him sheathe that sword for a moment, and I behave like a puppy that when the hated bath is over," [07:30:82]

It's human nature to return to our bad habits once the pain associated with those bad habits is gone. In other words, it's human nature to wanna get back to whatever normal was. But here's the thing, and you know this, aspiring to normal, c'mon, that's not very inspiring. So here's the question we're gonna wrestle to the ground for the next three weeks, how can we, how can you, how can we be better for it? [08:10:77]

Now is the time to face up to two financial realities. In fact, there are several financial realities we need to face up to, but if you will use the pressure you're feeling right now, even perhaps the chaos that are in your finances right now to begin asking these important questions, you will be better for it later. And I just wanna talk about two financial realities that are looming large for many of us. [11:07:16]

A financial hole is always due in part to a lack of self control. That a financial hole, and I made it rhyme so you remember it, a financial hole is usually maybe always, but let's just say usually due to a lack of self control. Let me illustrate it this way, before this crisis, you had this thought, if only I had more money, if only I had more money, if only I made more money. [12:15:01]

And if you are facing the consequences of a lack of self control financially now is the time to write that down, to learn this lesson and never ever do what you did in the past again, so that you would be ready for the future. The writer of Proverbs states it this way, and he gives us a word picture that is really not very relevant to our current situation, or certainly irrelevant to our current culture. [12:58:44]

How can you be better for it relationally? What have you experienced these past few months relationally that you wanna carry forward into the future? I think one of the things that we've all experienced is the value of friendship and the value of our friends. But there may be a negative side to all this for you. And if so, I want you to pay attention. Perhaps you've noticed, or you've experienced some unaddressed cracks in your marriage. [17:24:10]

COVID-19 may actually serve as a wake up call to you relationally if you wake up, so wake up. If there are cracks in your relationships at home, now is the time to address them. Rushing back to normal is going to empower you to continue to ignore them. You know this, relationship problems don't fix themselves. So now is the time to address these relationship issues. [18:34:51]

How has, or how is your world view holding up? How is your worldview holding up? You know what your worldview is. It's the way that you see and interpret and explain how the world works. And when difficult time comes, sometimes our foundations are rocked. And if your foundation, your worldview has been rocked, you should pay attention to that. Do you find yourself asking questions that you've never before? [20:27:92]

If current events have left you wrestling with God questions and you're not a religious person, and you just assumed you left that wrestling ring years ago, but now you find yourself wrestling with God questions, pay attention to that. And if you're a Christian, pay attention to this tension as well, you may discover a different kind of faith. You may discover a better faith. You may discover a different version of faith. [24:18:57]

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Transcript

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