Overall, I consider myself someone who likes change. I enjoy being part of change and initiating it. However, for many people, the idea of change is very difficult or something to be avoided. Sometimes there are valid reasons for change, and sometimes there aren’t.

Even when we know change would benefit us or others, we often resist it. For instance, despite my affinity for change, I consistently order the same drink at Starbucks and use the same guitar picks and strings. I repeat certain daily routines without variation. This makes me realize that I might be more of a creature of habit than I admit.

I recently read a book about creating healthy cultures, which delved into the science of what motivates people. It discussed the factors that lead to positive or unhealthy environments. One key concept it highlighted was inertia.

Initially, I thought of inertia in the scientific sense, as I learned in school, involving matter and resistance. Yet, in this context, inertia refers to the tendency to stick to familiar ways of doing things. It’s the force that keeps us from making changes, rooted in tradition and the comfort of past practices.

Inertia often prevents me from making necessary changes, keeping me stuck in the past and attached to how things have always been. This concept frequently arises in conversations with clients who resist change despite clear opportunities for improvement.

I’m a tea drinker who loves iced tea, hot tea, and Arnold Palmers. Starbucks offers a variety of teas, and while tea is healthier than many alternatives, I often make choices that I know are not good for me. I drink tea late into the evening, fully aware of its caffeine content and its impact on my sleep. Despite my morning resolve to avoid late tea, I repeat the same behavior the next day.

Here’s a challenge for all of us: We all have things in our ministries, jobs, and personal relationships that we know we need to change. This could be a staffing change, a new program, or addressing competing needs. Still, we hesitate.

Don’t let the inertia of past thinking be a barrier to something great. As my friend David Whitaker says, “We are compelled to change; if we are unable, we should not be in ministry.” I don’t know about you, but that’s a convicting statement that should give all of us pause.

What about you? What’s getting in the way of change or a difficult decision? Let me know how I can help.

-Jason