Same Thing = The Same Results (ST = SR)

Imagine purchasing a spin bike. You like its design and bright colors, take the time to put it together, and give it a place in your home. Weeks go by with you continuing to look at it, just as you looked at the picture on the internet when you were considering which model to buy. Making the decision to purchase was big for you, knowing that making the purchase meant you were ready to make a change...or were you?

You went online to purchase a gym membership. It was a good price, and the location was about three minutes away; perfect for traveling. You could quickly get there, get your class done, and quickly get back home. But there’s a problem: you never started.

And then your frustrated mind is hit with the same thought you usually get: If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same results.

“Nothing changes until you change. Everything changes once you change.” – Julian Lennon

There was a woman in the New Testament (don’t know her name) who was sick and had been for some twelve years. She was bleeding constantly, and though she went to doctors (some tried to help while others just took her money) she got worse as the years went by. She was financially ruined, using the usual solutions for getting well, but getting the same results, which for her came to zero. She heard about Jesus and that he was healing people and decided to make a change. She thought that if she could get to him and touch him, she would get well. Why not give it a try since nothing else was working after all these years? Long story short, she eventually got to Jesus, touched him, and he knew someone touched him though he did not know who. So, he asked the question. “Who touched me?” She was afraid to answer but eventually came forward, telling him her plight. Not only did he call her daughter but told her it was her faith that made her well. It is interesting Jesus did not say it was him that healed her, but her faith is what did it. And by the way, the bleeding stopped and she experienced healing.

Making the change to get on the bike and pedal is faith in action. Having the faith to get that wide rear end on that seat acknowledges you are willing to cause change in your life, though you may not instantly see a difference at first. Going to the gym and lifting weights proclaims you want to be stronger and leaner and doing something for your overall health. It is the faith you have in your abilities to bust a move by doing something different. It is replacing complacency (looking at the bike) with determination (riding the bike). It is getting in the car and driving to the gym and taking a class that starts the shift from never going to scheduling to go and actually doing it. I suppose the title of this post should be

Changes Yield Different Results

Why not try THAT for a change? For those what want to read about the woman with the issue of blood, it’s in the bible: Mark 5: 25-34.

Go Beyond Thinking

Many times, the easiest thing to do is to just think. Think about what could be if you did this. Think new ideas of how to do it later. While it’s a good thing to think these things, it doesn’t get you anywhere because there is a piece missing that prevents you from going forward. Just thinking is just that: thinking.

There was a woman who had been sick for twelve years. She continued to have a bleeding disorder, and while she went to doctors, her finances tanked because of her medical bills (Mark 5:25-34 records the story). But she had a thought, this idea:

“If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

She may have also thought she would have nothing to lose by checking Jesus out. She heard a lot about him healing people and decided to go to him. There is a lot in this story I want to point out.

  1. Though she was still sick and financially depleted, she did not lose hope that somewhere there was a solution to her plight. And because of that, she acted on her thought.
    • I believe this is where many get it wrong. This woman not only had the thought, but she also acted on it. I know for me I keep thinking but I don’t act. This woman, still sick and weak, made her way through the crowds of people to get to Jesus.
  2. Once the thought comes into our heads, do more than just think about the ‘what-if’ of it. If thought makes sense for you, the next step should be what to implement to make it happen. For example, if the thought is to go back to school or apply for a promotion at work, get the paperwork done to get the ball rolling. At least you will know that by doing so you are trying to respect the thought by making the attempt to make it reality.
    • The woman with the issue of blood made the attempt to make her sickness stop. Her hope was to do all she could to obtain the solution. We need to do the same.
  3. Jesus, realizing something happened as he felt power had left him, asked who touched him. Though she was scared, she admitted it was her who touched him as she told her story. Then Jesus said something interesting.
    • “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
      • Once God gives the thought, our faith process means we act on it. It should not be placed in our minds for safe keeping, but rather it should become an act of doing all we can to make it happen, like this woman did. Jesus recognized her faith was the fuel that gave her the energy to leave her home and make her way to him to get her answer. Jesus did not tell her she was the healer. He complimented her on her level of faith in obtaining her answer.
      • As a result of what she did, she was no longer frustrated, no longer depressed and worried of her sickness, no longer spending money on doctor bills. In fact, she received the blessing of the word immediately. The moment she touched him, immediately her bleeding stopped, and as Jesus felt in his body power had left him, she felt in her body that she was gifted with total healing.

So, here’s the challenge for all of us, me included. When a thought comes to mind, and it appears to be a good one that could solve something for you, it’s no problem thinking about it, but don’t let it stop there. If it keeps popping up in your brain, that may be God telling you action is needed. With God’s help, you very well may have the solution you have been searching for.

Stop just thinking about it. Have the faith to make it reality by doing it.