To do things the same way yet expecting a different result is Insanity and yet that is what most of us (including me) doing it day in , nights out. So we allow external environment, like food, entertainment, social media ,etc to get our attention so that we can react to it. We become the victim of this world, unable to detach ourselves from its magnetic force.
From a layman perspective, that means , we need to get out of our usual thinking and way of doing things to be on the path of change. If you are waking on the right side of the bed, try the left side. Take a walk home instead of taking the bus (if not too far). Sometimes, we need a little change in the physical environment to jolt our thinking and of course, we need to be expecting some positive changes coming up. God's way is past finding out and he has on numerous occasions prompt me to take a different path so that I can get lucky, triggered a thought or simply meet a person that can help me.
I think regardless of money issue, relationship challenges ,health problems, many people are confused and lost how to go about making the change. Like diet plans, they jump from one to another without much success.
The missing link is the process, the steps to get from A to C. Some requires hand holding , offering them baby steps and ensuring they do not fall as they had failed one too many times before.
That is why we need compassion, mercy , listening ear before offering any advice. It is easy to dish out advice to people without knowing their background. We can pray for them but God is really behind the scene who can lift them out of their situation.
Encourage them, help them in ways that you can, speak positively of them, pray for them. It would take time but we need to be patient. Each of us have our lesson to learn, our journey of self discovery as I put it and sometimes they needed more time to get out. I recalled when I was in a bad relationship and I sank deep , wallowing in grief and depression for far too long, wasting too much resources and time. But , I am glad I get out , nevertheless. May the Lord continue to pour his blessing on me and family and all those who needed change badly. Change them to be a different person as you had change me , Lord.