One of these days, I’m going to…lose weight, have a better Bible and prayer time, start talking to people I do not know, sing in a singing group, start handling my money better, dress up more each day, take vitamins regularly, schedule my time better so I can get more things done, get up on time, exercise, eat better, start wearing makeup, care more about my looks, start styling my hair instead of just brushing through it in the mornings, incorporate better study habits, have an appointment with that person who frightens or intimidates me, say “hello” to that intimidating person the next time I see him, separate from the wrong friends, etc., etc., etc. What is it that YOU keep saying you are going to do one of these days? Proverbs 27:1 says, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” We do not know that “one of these days” will ever come.

Why Do We Put Off Changing?

  1. We put off changing because we don’t believe in ourselves enough to actually make the change. The only person stopping you from changing you is YOU! I know of a girl in her adolescence who was very shy and bashful. She began taking piano lessons at a young age. Her parents would have her play a piano piece whenever company would come—they wanted to “show off her ability.” That girl hated it at the time! This girl had a sister five years younger who began to sing in church before the older sister. Finally, the older sister sang in church for the first time when she was 15 years old.

When this shy girl graduated from high school, she enrolled in Hyles-Anderson College. Her first year, she took the leadership class from Dr. Evans. In that class, Dr. Evans said, “Some of you are hiding behind your personality and not talking to everyone in the hallways. You only talk to people you know. You would be a better Christian if you spoke to everyone.” This girl became very convicted and determined to speak to everyone she met. She made a decision to “branch out.” (Remember, the only person stopping her from being friendly was her!) She was encouraged to audition to sing in a summer tour group, and to her amazement, she was chosen to represent the college for two years. When she graduated from college, she was asked to join the ladies dormitory staff at the college—which heavily involved counseling girls and teaching dorm devotions. Can you imagine how frightened this shy girl was? God placed her in situations to show her that she COULD do things she never thought she could if she would only try. In case you haven’t guessed, that girl was ME.

  1. We put off changing because we don’t believe God. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” How dare we limit the promises of God!
  2. We put off changing because we have learned to settle for mediocrity without even realizing it. Brother Hyles says, “Every man knows something I do not know. I must probe until I find it; hence, all men are my teachers.” Brother Hyles is constantly learning, so he is constantly growing and improving. He has certainly not settled for mediocrity.
  3. We put off changing because each time we try to improve, we compare ourselves to others and become discouraged because we don’t feel we measure up to that standard. I believe this area is where a lot of Christian girls and ladies fail in their growth. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (II Corinthians 10:12) I have heard of ladies who do not go soul winning because their partners are better soul winners than they are. What kind of excuse is that? How blessed a person is to have a soul-winning partner from whom she can learn. God only expects us to do OUR best, not someone else’s best!

The only person to whom you should compare yourself is Jesus! It is time now to make that change you have only dreamed about making. Decide today to improve in that area or areas about which you are thinking right now. Remember, the only person keeping you from bettering yourself is you—not your husband, not your preacher, not your parents, not your friends—YOU! Determine to stop dreaming about “one of these days,” and make TODAY that day!