Pastor Rick Warren Shares Secret to Successful Change: 'Evaluate Where You Are'

 Pixabay

Everybody has to change for the better, but not everybody realises this because they are overcome with pride. Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church said the first and greatest barrier people face when it comes to change in their lives is pride.

"The fact is, nobody has it all together. I don't have it all together. You don't have it all together. The Pope doesn't have it all together. The Bible says there's nothing perfect on Earth except God's Word. Everything on this planet is broken because of sin," he wrote on his website.

Sadly, people walk around trying to impress others and pretend like they have all things figured out. But Warren said if people want to have lasting change in their lives, they must first humbly assess their current state and admit that they don't have things all together.

"You have to admit you have a problem with your finances, with your health, or wherever you struggle in your life," he said.

But why is being honest about one's faults and shortcomings so important? Warren said people can only manage what they measure.

"If you don't know the measure of your faith, you can't grow in your faith. If you don't know the measure of your health, you can't develop and grow in health. If you don't know the measure of where you are financially, you can't set financial goals," he said. "If you don't know the measure of where you are spiritually or vocationally or relationally, then you can't grow in those areas. You can only manage what you measure."

To achieve true transformation, Warren suggested recording one's progress or goal in a journal. Once people have honestly evaluated where they are, it would be easier for them to determine where they are headed and measure their growth.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Want God to Answer Your Prayers? This Pastor Shares 4 Secrets
Want God to Answer Your Prayers? This Pastor Shares 4 Secrets

Want God to Answer Your Prayers? This Pastor Shares 4 Secrets

4 Reasons Why Christians Should Not Stop Praying Even Though God Does Not Answer
4 Reasons Why Christians Should Not Stop Praying Even Though God Does Not Answer

4 Reasons Why Christians Should Not Stop Praying Even Though God Does Not Answer

Find It Hard to Trust God? Here Are Some Tips
Find It Hard to Trust God? Here Are Some Tips

Find It Hard to Trust God? Here Are Some Tips

The 3 Kinds of Peace God Wants Christians to Experience This Christmas
The 3 Kinds of Peace God Wants Christians to Experience This Christmas

The 3 Kinds of Peace God Wants Christians to Experience This Christmas

Every Christian Is a Minister, and Here\'s Why
Every Christian Is a Minister, and Here's Why

Every Christian Is a Minister, and Here's Why

News
How one man overcame his stammer to reach thousands as a radio host
How one man overcame his stammer to reach thousands as a radio host

Konnect Radio founder Gareth Cottrell struggled with a stammer as a child. Now he reaches tens of thousands across the UK with his faith-filled broadcasting.

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

24 May 2026 is Pentecost Sunday, when Christians recall the importance of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are the virtues that are produced in the life of a believer through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the story …

Pentecost: Its meaning, significance and relevance for Christians today
Pentecost: Its meaning, significance and relevance for Christians today

Today is Pentecost - a special day in the Christian calendar that many Christians may have heard of, but do not always fully understand. Yet Pentecost is incredibly important, because it is deeply connected to the work of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

Christian aid organisations mobilise emergency Ebola response in Democratic Republic of Congo
Christian aid organisations mobilise emergency Ebola response in Democratic Republic of Congo

Christian aid organisations are mobilising emergency health responses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the country’s north-east that has prompted international concern.