On Reactions to Change

        When life feels uncomfortable, we often welcome change optimistically, few questions asked.  Is that always wise?

        When life feels just right, we often resist change as a potential threat.  If it's not broken, why change it?  In some situations, we call that attitude "economical"--in others, "inefficient," "stagnate," or "backward."

        When life, as is most often the case, feels mostly cozy sprinkled with the occasional discomfort, we often find that the prospect of change presents us with an amoral dilemma--shall we accept or reject the option(s) to change?  Decisive people may choose randomly, choose change for change's sake or familiarity for its comfort, or chose based on a gut feeling, spiritual sign, or a quick list of pros and cons.  Indecisive people, however, are frequently paralyzed with anxiety about the unknown: Does God's prolonged lack of response to prayer mean that He can use us either way?  What if we regret the decision, but it's irrevocable?  Or if it's not irrevocable, what if a poor decision causes us to waste our time or resources or just get embroiled in a big, hairy, needless hassle?  (By the way, why are hassles hairy?)  Can't we compromise?  Can't someone else make the decision for us--but will we like the change they choose?  What if . . . what if . . . ?  Okay, let's do this--is this what God wants?  Around, around the mulberry bush . . .

        When we can't prevent an unwanted change, some people lament and rail and complain uselessly, while others stoically try to make the most of an unwanted situation.  Who's happier? 

        When we have a bad experience with a wanted change, some people decide the grass was greener where they had been before and retreat as best they can to the familiar or on to even greener pastures, while others try to stick it out hopefully.  The circumstances may warrant one option over another; we can only reliably judge our own choices. . . . and sometimes not even then.

        When we enjoy the change . . . well, is there any more to be said?