If your life seems like the popular song from the last decade of "oops I did it again" then you're probably not experiencing real change. The problem is you are "trying" to change instead of really changing. Sometimes we try to change our life but the motivation is to avoid the consequences of our habits rather than a deep desire for a new life. The old adage of "fake it till you make it" eventually stops keeping you out of trouble because it doesn't lead to a change on the inside. Your actions in life stem from your heart, mind and soul. Unless those things change, there won't be any real life change . . . only fake changes that may please those around you for a while.
Real change happens when your heart, soul and mind learn to love God. Here are a few things to think about.
HEART - Spend time getting to know God and you will love him. Talk to him (prayer), Read his message to you (the Bible), Listen to Him (be still and listen)
SOUL - Stop living on impulse and instead listen to your soul ("aka "conscious" "little voice in your head") telling you what the right choices are for your life. Then . . . make the right choice.
MIND - Ask God to help you control your thought life. Don't indulge or linger when your mind takes you to dark places. Think good thoughts.
STRENGTH - DON'T GIVE UP! Don't give up when you get uncomfortable, feel awkward, get bored or face a temptation. Ask God for strength to live transformed in every situation.
Jesus said the most important thing for you to do is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind." He knew this was the path to transformation.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Growing Up
Viewing painful experiences as a good thing can be extremely difficult. Losing friends over petty things can either crush you, or force you to evaluate the situation you're in. This week I've realized that a bridge may have been temporarily blocked, but it hasn't been burned... and the detour could lead me to a better destination than my expected path could have. Right now I could choose to feel sorry for myself, or I could say, "Hey. Life threw something my way, I didn't see it coming, but I'm gonna catch it and make the best of it." Maybe this loss will help me overcome insecurities, and branch out to find people who will love me for who I am. That will be a beautiful thing! Having friends that will help me and not pull me down will be a huge change, but a good one. Most of the time I'm stuck in a rut and getting out of it is hard to do when you have nobody that can help you. The same people do the same things over and over and none of us help each other. This events of this week have only given me the hope of new things. These changes will be painful, I know... but they're necessary.
After sharing my heart with a few friends tonight, they gave encouraging responses. "I think you're growing up." That was exactly what I needed to hear. For so long I've felt like I've been regressing, and it was to the point where I felt life was going absolutely nowhere. Giving up seemed like the easiest response. Who knew that more heartache would cause progress? Maybe we're all just caterpillars battling to turn into that beautiful butterfly. A struggle is necessary for strength after the transformation, and we've got to view these trials as opportunities- not barriers.
After sharing my heart with a few friends tonight, they gave encouraging responses. "I think you're growing up." That was exactly what I needed to hear. For so long I've felt like I've been regressing, and it was to the point where I felt life was going absolutely nowhere. Giving up seemed like the easiest response. Who knew that more heartache would cause progress? Maybe we're all just caterpillars battling to turn into that beautiful butterfly. A struggle is necessary for strength after the transformation, and we've got to view these trials as opportunities- not barriers.
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