The Key to Success: Change

Everyone surely wants to succeed, whether in education, career, business, love, or spiritual life. But only a few are willing to make changes to claim that success as their own. Without change, success is impossible.

You surely know several inspirational figures and their journey to success. For example, the inventor of the light bulb Thomas Alva Edison, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and from our own country, one of them is Nadiem Makarim, the figure behind the founding of Gojek.

One interesting thing is that before achieving success, they had gone through a great many failures. Thomas Alva Edison carried out experiments hundreds of times, perhaps even thousands, before finally succeeding in creating the light bulb. Mark Zuckerberg had to experience failure in his formal education. Gojek was once on hold and did not grow, until it eventually became a company as large as it is today.

From those stories, what lesson can we take? Usually, the message is about perseverance, a never-give-up spirit, and also patience. Isn't that right? That is true, but from their stories of struggle there is one more message we can take: to achieve success, they were willing to make changes. Not just once, they made several changes, even who knows how many times.

Change plays an important role in determining the course of life toward success according to each of our own definitions. The Bible itself records that change is important so that we may be pleasing to God. “Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,...” For us to be pleasing in God's sight, we need to make changes in our lives.

Success is not always achieved through massive changes. In fact, it is often the small changes made consistently and continu-ously that can produce a great impact. When we think about major change, we often feel burdened and afraid. As a result, not infrequently we end up feeling stuck, without any meaningful change.

Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. And whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.

Luke 16:10

So, what needs to be done? Let us take a close look at these two things:

Small Change #1 : Habits

“We are what we repeatedly do,” is a saying from the leading philosopher Aristotle. Habits, though they may seem trivial, have great power. Who we are today is the result of our previous habits. If today you like soccer, perhaps it is because you have been used to watching / playing soccer for a long time. If you are skilled in business, perhaps it is because you are used to seeing people trade. If you are lazy, it is because from long ago you were not used to a purposeful life.

But habits are also what determine your future. Therefore, we need to recognize our habits. Try observing yourself and your habits; make note of your activities from the time you wake up in the morning until night. Then think about the success you want to achieve in life. Now ask yourself, “Have my habits so far been effective enough to bring me to the results I want?” If the answer is no, then you know where to begin that change. Start with the ineffective habits. In the end, it is habits that will produce character (Romans 5:4 –NIV).

Small Change #2 : Learning to Be Comfortable with Discomfort

Change does not feel comfortable. Yes, that's right! There is a lot of discomfort when we decide to change. We may feel tired, we may feel like we are struggling alone, or our environment may feel unsupportive. A small example: before deciding to become a Disciple of Jesus, perhaps we were used to being careless in traffic. When we learn to change, how uncomfortable it is to wait at a red light when we are in a hurry, even though the road in front of us is empty. All the more if there are other vehicles honking behind us.

By reflex, our bodies tend to resist discomfort. However, knowing that this change is good for us, we need to train ourselves to be comfortable with discomfort. We need to change our mindset, and we also need friends or a community to support that change.

In the process of change, we will surely encounter obstacles, whether from circumstances or from our own negative emotions, which may make us think about giving up. When you experience that, think about the valuable things that will happen through the change you are making right now. Whatever discomfort we feel, just acknowledge it. This is where the role of community is very important. Community keeps you from feeling like you are struggling alone or feeling like a stranger. A healthy community will support and help you grow.

So, how about it? Are we ready to make changes? Come on, let us start with the small things, and do not lose sight of the great things we can achieve through those changes.

* Church GKDI currently is in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

Related articles: Is It True That Honest People Never Prosper?

Inspirational video: