When Change Begins to Happen

Most people who say they're looking for help to change their lives don't really want help to change their lives. What they really want is for somebody to tell them that they're doing okay just like they are and then to enable them to stay that way.

When a person really wants to change their life, they have to first realize that what they've been doing is not working. Trust me...I know what it takes to change your life. I remember who I used to be! But I also know that when you get sick and tired of hurting all the time and when you realize that everything you try to do ends in failure, then you begin to do some deep-down soul searching. And then, of course the key to begin to make change is to realize you can't do it by yourself...if you could, you would have already done it! You need something or someone outside of yourself in order to make the changes you need. But the problem is that most of the people you know have their own demons to battle just like you do.

But about that time is when someone comes along and tells you that the only way to find lasting change is to allow God to change you on the inside. And when you truly surrender your life to Him, the Holy Spirit comes in and that's when real change begins to happen. You begin to learn day by day how to walk with Him, listen to Him and obey those little nudges He gives you. And day by day, you begin to see the changes that you need begin to take place.

Is it easy? Is it sudden? No way! Your lifestyle needs to change...your thinking needs to change, your activities need to change, your acquaintances need to change. You become a new person inside instantly, but your mind still needs to be renewed. And that's why you need to spend lots of time in God's presence through prayer and reading and studying your Bible.

And then, little by little...day by day, you begin to realize that you're not the same person that you used to be. You don't like the same things you used to like, you don't feel comfortable hanging around with the same people you used to hang around with and you just don't want to put up with the things you used to put up with. You don't want the drama and chaos that other people want to bring into your life anymore. You don't want to hear the language that the world uses, you don't want to go to the places you used to go and you don't want to do the things you used to do. And you learn to totally appreciate the peace that passes understanding that the Holy Spirit brings into your life.

And so, if you're ready for the life change that your soul longs for...begin now by telling Jesus that you've messed up. Ask Him to forgive you and to give you the strength and courage you need to surrender your life 100% to Him. And then watch the changes begin to happen as you walk with Him everyday! Amen!