Change. That is a word that most of us don’t like to hear. Even when change is for the good, it can sometimes be difficult, even scary. But change is one of those inevitable pieces of life. We all experience it one time or another. I heard this statement from an inmate one time: “When the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of change, you will change.” That is a power-packed statement. Change will take courage. The definition of courage is: “Fearlessness when facing change or a difficult situation, following difficult instructions.” One of the biggest hindrances to change for many people is that they are stuck in their past or even in a present dilemma. Think about this. If you drive down the road in your car, looking in the rearview mirror the whole time, what is going to happen? Obviously, you will crash. Well, it’s the same thing in life. If we keep looking back, we’re going to crash into various obstacles in life. So, what is the answer to this fear of change? The Bible gives us several answers.
Change & Philippians 3:13-14
First of all, in Philippians 3:13-14 it says (bolded emphasis mine): “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The first step in moving forward is to stop looking backwards all the time. Take your hurts, your questions, your fears, everything, and give them to God. His Son, Jesus Christ, took all your pains on Himself when He died on the Cross.
Let’s quickly look at a few other hindrances to moving forward that the Bible mentions.
Forsaking God
In other words, preferring your own way. So many of us think we know what’s best for our lives. But who would know better than God Himself, the Creator of the universe, who knows everything? Take the risk to step out and trust God with your whole life. In Matthew 6:33, it says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” If we put God first in our lives, He will meet all of our needs.
Fear of Man
Proverbs 29:25 says: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” We will never take risks or try new things as long as we fear what others will think of us. One way to help fight this is to remember the following statement: “I am not responsible for anyone else’s actions or reactions except my own.” Besides, if someone is truly your friend, they will encourage you to move forward and be happy with you for the changes in your life.
Worldliness
This could be a lengthy subject, but for now let’s simply say that if we let the ways of the world influence us, it will choke out the truth of God’s Word. See Mark 4:18-19 and 1 John 2:15:
- Mark 4:18-19: “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
- 1 John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Misplaced Confidence
Relying on anything or anyone other than God for your needs. It is only in a relationship with the Lord that we can have all of our needs met. Remember the Scripture quoted earlier from Matthew 6:33; put God first in your life.
Self-Sufficiency
This is when we think we don’t need anyone. We think we can do it ourselves and refuse to ask for help. But Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Another scripture that talks about self-sufficiency is Revelation 3:16-20, where the Laodicean Church thought they had it all together more than anyone else, but didn’t realize they were spiritually blind: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Neglect of the “Little Things”
I once read a statement that said. “We stumble over pebbles, not rocks.” We often tend to overlook what we think are the little things. But then these little things pile up into a big mountain, and next thing we know, we’re totally overwhelmed. So, don’t let little things go unchecked in your life. Ask someone you trust who you know will be truthful with you to be an accountability partner to help you monitor your progress.
Finally, our last point is:
Not Counting the Cost
It takes a made-up mind to decide we’re moving forward with our lives, no matter what. We need to be aware that not everyone is going to like the changes in our life. Family, friends, and co-workers may not understand. Some may try to put fear in you, and some will threaten you by saying they won’t be your friends anymore. The reality is, there will be a cost to change. The people you surround yourself with may have to change; priorities will have to change, etc. But with God on our side, we can overcome anything.
Read Romans 8:31-39, which declares that God is for you: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
- Body of Christ Meaning: Behave, Obey & Disciple - November 11, 2025
- A Simple Guide to the Lord’s Prayer & 5 Ps: It’s Time to Pray - November 8, 2025
- Fruitful Discipleship: An Acronym for Bearing Fruit in Jesus Name - August 30, 2025
