Turn on your cookies for the best browsing experience.

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

These cookies are essential to make our site work. We use cookies for a variety of reasons, including giving and content preferences.

Instructions to turn on your browser cookies:

https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/how-to-enable-cookies/auto

Sign In

Sign in for a personalized experience.

Connect
Grow
Serve
Care
Watch
Give
    I'm New Care Grow Serve Watch Give
  • Locations

    • USA
    • Anaheim, CA
    • Brea, CA
    • Eastvale, CA
    • En Español, CA
    • Irvine North, CA
    • Irvine South, CA
    • Laguna Woods, CA
    • Lake Forest, CA
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • Newport Mesa, CA
    • Rancho Capistrano, CA
    • San Clemente, CA
    • San Diego, CA
    • South Bay, CA
    • Extensions
    •  
    • International
    • Berlin, Germany
    • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Hong Kong, China
    • Santa Rosa, Philippines
    • Extensions
    •  
    • Venues
    • Lake Forest Chinese Community
    •  
    • Online
    • Community
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Get Directions
    Get Directions
  • About

    • Connect
    • New Start with God
    • About Jesus
    • Our Leadership
    • Beliefs and Values
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Home@Saddleback
    • Career Opportunities
    • Internships
    • Contact
  • Care

    • Explore
    • Counseling
    • Support Groups
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • PEACE Center
    • Hospital Visitation
    • Career Coaching
    • Mental Health
    • Personal Finances
    • Prayer
  • Events

    • All Events
    • Baptism
    • Discover 1-4
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • Adult Trainings
    • Care & Support
    • Kids & Parents
    • National & Global
    • Local Community
    • Sports & Physical Health
    • Special Events
  • Watch

    • All Media
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Current Series
    • Small Group Studies
    • DriveTime Devotionals
    • Campus Photos
    • Apps
    • Podcasts
  • Small Groups

    • Explore
    • Find a Group
    • Start a Group
    • Study Materials
    • Manage My Groups
  • Grow

    • Explore
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Foundations
    • Message Resources
    • Retreat Ministry
    • Recommended Books
    • Podcasts
  • Serve

    • All Opportunities
    • Serve in the Church
    • Serve at an Event
    • Serve the Community
  • Ministries

    • All Ministries
    • Ministry Quiz
    • Men
    • Women
    • Singles
    • Marriages
    • Parents
    • College
    • High School
    • Jr. High
    • Children
    • Workplace
  • Mission

    • Explore
    • Get Inspired
    • Get Involved
    • Get Equipped
    • PEACE Center
    • Relief
    • Grocery Distribution
    • Food Pantry
  • Give

    • Tithe
    • Beyond the Tithe
    • 2021 Annual Review

My home campus

Select a Campus
View All Locations×
      • Home
      • >
      • Connect
      • >
      • Articles
      • >
      • Message Resources
      • >
      • MAP

      Resource Details

      Making the Hard Changes in Me

      Rick Warren | May 8, 2022

      A life reset requires change. Identifying the areas in our life that need to change is one thing, but actually changing them is another. Especially the areas in our life that are resistant to change. This week, Pastor Rick takes a look at the areas of our life that seem to resist all efforts of change, and what God says it takes to change them.

      Message Action Plan

      Talk It Over

      Diving Deeper

      Message Action Plan

      WHY ARE SOME THINGS IN ME SO HARD TO CHANGE?
      Why do I hold on to self-defeating habits?

      1. Because I've had them so long

      2. Because I identify with them

      3. Because my patterns have a payoff

      Action Plan: Identify what payoff you receive from a persistent habit that you'd like to stop.  Think about what unmet needs you may be trying to fulfill.  How does Jesus meet that need in your life?  Study the verses in this week's message and seek ways for God to change your thinking about those payoffs.

      1. Because Satan discourages me

        "Since you have heard all about Jesus and have learned thetruth that is in him, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must put on your new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness —righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because we belong to each other. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil."  Ephesians 4:21-27 (NLT)

      4 REQUIREMENTS FOR LASTING, PERSONAL CHANGE

      1. Change requires learning & facing the truth

      "Learn the truth and never reject it!"                Proverbs 23:23 (NCV)

      "Jesus said, 'I'm telling you the truth'… Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions."  John 3:11 (MSG)

      "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."  2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)

      2. Lasting change requires new thinking

      "There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes."Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)          

      Think > Feel >  Act

      "Let the same mind and attitude be in you which was in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 (AMPC)

      My so-called "defects" are often …

      ...Strengths being misused

      … _ Attempts to meet my unmet needs

      3. Lasting change requires community & coaching
          
      "Put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because webelong to each other."   Ephesians 4:25 (NCV)

      "By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law ofChrist." Galatians 6:2 (NCV)

      Many Examples of One-on-One Coaching in the Bible
      5 kinds of Group coaches in Christ's church

       "Christ gifted some of us to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his Body would grow strong. This will continue until we're united by our faith and understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him."  Ephesians 4:11–13 (CEV)  

      Action Plan:  Who is already a coach in your life, maybe unofficially? Who can you enlist as a coach?  Talk to a few possible people asking God to direct the conversation so you'll know who is a few steps ahead who can offer advice and encouragement.

      4. Lasting change requires the Holy Spirit

      "This is the word of the Lord: 'You will not succeed by your own strengthor power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord."   Zechariah 4:6 (NCV)

      "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and morelike Him." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB)

      Action Plan: Start or restart your daily quiet time.  Ask The Holy Spirit to be your companion while reading God's word for insight and direction in each day's trials.  If you have stopped doing this daily, don't let guilt stop you from starting afresh.

      More from this series

      Talk It Over

      Discussion Guide

      Additional Resources

      Change is a Choice

      Dive Deeper this week by reading Pastor Rick's Daily Hope Devotional, Change is a Choice.

      Download
      Download

      More from this series

      Resetting My Life
      April 24 - July 31, 2022
      • Understanding God’s Eternal Plan
        July 31, 2022
      • God’s Greatest Gifts
        July 24, 2022
      • Reactions Speak Louder Than Words
        July 17, 2022
      • True North
        July 10, 2022
      • Prayer That Works
        July 3, 2022
      • Crossing Cultural Chasms
        June 26, 2022
      • How to Get Through Your Storm
        June 19, 2022
      • Correcting Misplaced Priorities
        June 12, 2022
      • Announcing Saddleback’s New Senior Pastor
        June 5, 2022
      • How to Help a Friend in Deep Pain
        May 29, 2022
      • Three Questions for a Reset
        May 22, 2022
      • Looking Back to Move Forward
        May 15, 2022
      • Making the Hard Changes in Me
        May 8, 2022
      • Changing Always Starts With Choosing
        May 1, 2022
      • How to Prepare for a Life-Reset
        April 24, 2022
      Back To Top

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      • sign in
      • contact us
      • privacy policy
      • career opportunities
      • internships
      • mobile app

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      © 2023 Saddleback Valley Community Church