Why Change is Difficult (Part 3)

In the last few weeks we have been talking about why change is so difficult. Today we’re wrapping up this Friday series with two more points to consider.

The sixth reason why change is difficult is because followers are at different levels of readiness. Some are ready to embrace the change while others drag their feet. Serving leaders identify where everyone has resistance and work with them at their current level. They extend grace but do not lower the bar, knowing that at some future point a decision may be made to embrace the change. Consider John 6:60-71 where many of Jesus’ disciples no longer followed him. Some were not ready for full commitment until later (see Acts 6:7 where it’s recorded that, “The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” It’s very possible that many of these disciples and priests were part of the group who had earlier turned away from following Jesus).

The seventh reason people find it difficult to change is because of their 
tendency to revert back to old ways. In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus shared about a person who was delivered from evil but then failed to fully embrace the new changes and replace the old with the new. In the end this person was worse off than in the beginning. Serving leaders help keep their people accountable, reminding them of the gains that are greater than the perceived losses.​

[Next week we will look at how pride and fear affect leader-follower relationships.]