How Can I Be Changed? (Part 2)

Prayer/Fasting

Now for Part 2 of our How Can I Be Changed Series. In Part 1, we explored the first steps necessary to make a true change, which are reflected by our own personal attitudes. In order to change, we have to be 1. Willing; 2. Able and 3. Submitted to God. After making sure our hearts and minds are up to this task, we can move on to the next step:

1. Prayer and Fasting

No one said this would be easy. As mentioned in the previous article, Jesus clearly told us that some conditions are only healed through prayer and fasting. Your true change REQUIRES prayer and fasting.

Here's how to make it easier: think of God as your Therapist. Someone who is willing to give you His undivided attention. Someone who is willing to listen to you 24 hours a day. It doesn't matter how long ago something happened or how insignificant it appears to anyone else - He's interesting in hearing all about it.

Once you begin to see the availability and access offered by God, it will become easier to spend time with Him in prayer. So many times we approach prayer as a ritualistic, unwanted task instead of the heart-to-heart fellowship it could be. God is not only our Lord, but also our Comforter. Talk to Him. He wants to listen.

Re-live with Him the things that are bothering you. Spend time with Him as you begin to explore deeper what happened, why you think it is such a big deal and even begin to dig deeper into the origin of this type of pain in your life. Why do you think this bothers you so much? When was the first time you felt this type of pain? Journal if you need to or take a break to re-order your mind.

You may hit a blank wall initially, but you'll be surprised at the old experiences that will come up and remind you of why you are so self-conscious (you were teased as a child) or why you can never get a date (you felt rejected in your early years). And - most importantly - instead of running away from this memory, re-live it. Remember once and for all why this hurt so much. Recall what was said to you and what you did or said in response. Cry if you need to. Laugh if it's appropriate. But face it - honestly, openly, without condemning yourself for your response or allowing your hurt or embarrassment (or humiliation) to overwhelm you. Ask God to show you how that experience shaped you. Think deeper to see what you've learned from that experience. Acknowledge that it happened, but that you don't have to accept its negative outcome. Remind yourself that you are no longer that person. That the other person no longer has any power over you. That you are still free to be the whole, healthy person you deserve to be. And that they or that event don't have the right to impact who you are today. And prepare to be free of it.

This process may take a little time (and you may find a whole host of 'incidents' to re-live). That's okay. You've got time. You want this to be behind you, right?

Also, feel free to engage a professional to help you. Find a local psychologist or psychiatrist through the yellow pages or through your local church. Or, if you can't afford to pay someone, find a counselor at your church or a support group of some type. You might also find that an online community can provide you with the emotional support you need.

During this time of 're-living', you will also need to fast. Why? Because you will need help getting delivered of some things and many of those things can only accessed after you spend time fasting. Don't make it too complicated - in this case, fasting is primarily a way for God to reach you and for you to hear Him. Food and the cares of life are so consuming in and of themselves, that you will need to put those things aside for short periods of times to focus on what God may be saying to you. Try to make your life as distraction-free as possible and devote some time to quiet time, meditation and solitude. If you've never fasted or spent time in meditation, now is a good time to start!

Most importantly - don't rush this process! It takes as long as it takes. You may have a period of time where you will spend a few hours or a few days thinking things through. And it may be another year or two before you discover new things that need to be addressed. Just go with it. Don't resist those feelings and don't run away. This is very important to your healing process.

After acknowledging the things that are bothering, re-living those root experiences, spending time with God through prayer and fasting and hearing what God has to say about those experiences, you are ready for the final step in this process: letting go. How do you let go? For me, it's easiest for me to visualize that problem dissolving into a whirlwind and being whisked away from me. I watch it disintegrate piece by piece and lose its shape, form, and ability to impact me. You can also 'let go' by verbally telling God that this problem is no longer yours - you are releasing it to Him and will not worry about it any longer. But easier said than done, right? But it is possible.

Ultimately, letting it go means that you will no longer puzzle over it, try to figure it out, or continue to re-live that incident over and over. It also means no longer talking about it (or, at least, not so much), and - most importantly - not allowing it to influence your thoughts or actions any longer. BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET TO THIS STAGE AFTER YOU'VE FULLY DEALT WITH IT. By praying about it, exploring it and resolving and being delivered of any outstanding pain or emotions associated with it. Otherwise, you won't ever be able to let it go.

Next time, we'll talk about the restoration process.

Be Blessed!



Technorati tags: Christianity, Spirituality, Religion, Self-Help, Advice, Change

How Can I Be Changed? Part I

How can you really be changed? What will it take to experience that leap in spiritual growth you've been seeking? What steps can you take to change your mind, your 'flesh' and your spirit?

The Bible is replete with ideas about change, transformation, renewal and restoration. We see a number of people who start out one way, and become emotionally, mentally or spiritually changed. Not to mention the physical and emotional healings that took place.

So how can you harness that transformation energy for yourself? Change involves three components: 1. Willingness; 2. Ability and 3. Submission. Let's explore those three ideas in more detail:

Willingness

Remember when Jesus saw the lame man who was lying by the pool in Bethesda? The first question Jesus asked him was "Do you want to be healed" (John 5:6 CEV). You know why Jesus asked him that question? Because in order to receive what you need from God, you have to be willing. God can do every miracle conceivable - but not in the face of your disbelief or stubbornness. Jesus clearly tells you in Matthew 7:7 (CEV) to "Ask, and you will receive." It seems so simple, this whole willingness thing, but it isn't. First, we have to tell God that we give Him our permission to do what He needs to do. Then we have to ask. Ask. And we have to ask for the right reasons. James tells us in James 4:3 (KJV) "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." In other words, we ask for things for the wrong reasons so that we can use those things for our own selfish needs. So, if you are seeking to change for any reason other than you want to be a true woman or man of God, then you need not ask. God can read the desires of your heart and He knows when you ask something for the wrong reasons. Don't put God in the position of having to answer your selfish prayers. But - if you are truly willing to change to please God - then read on as we explore the second component of change:

Ability

Here's a secret of the Christian faith - not all problems disappear overnight. And not all sins are overcome immediately after becoming a Christian. Some issues remain around for a long, long time. You will find after being a Christian any length of time that willpower alone isn't always enough to stop yourself from drinking, sleeping around or to prevent your thinking hateful thoughts. As much as you struggle with those things, you can't seem to be delivered of them. In Matthew 17, the disciples attempted to cure an epileptic child and could not. Jesus came out, cured the boy and the disciples then came to question him.

Matthew 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out? 20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.(ASV)

In other words, some things will not leave you unless you diligently fast and pray.

A last thought about Ability - you will not be capable of something you have never attempted before. Think about it: if you were preparing to run a marathon, would you be able to run it next week? Unless you've spent weeks or months increasing your pace and running on a regular basis - the answer is no. The same thing with being able to let go of a sin - have you 'practiced' letting it go? Or are you still engaged full-time with that problem or circumstance? Willpower will not be enough. You will need the full protection and strength of God to get you through what you will soon face. But you can certainly 'help' the process by 'practicing.' 'Practice' praying more often and fasting for short periods of time. 'Practice' studying the Bible, engaging in meditation and solitude to prepare you for the time you will spend with God. And, finally, 'practice' finding other things to do with your time (as opposed to reaching out to that sinful or useless activity). Look around and see what else life has to offer. Plan to spend more time doing those things. Make sure you 'practice' in preparation for the challenges that will soon come.

And now the final component of change:

Submission

You will never change unless you submit yourself to God. That means listening to Him and obeying the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Here are two verses of scripture to reflect on as you prepare for your change:

James 4:7 Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind. 9 Be sad and sorry and weep. Stop laughing and start crying. Be gloomy instead of glad. 10 Be humble in the Lord's presence, and he will honor you (CEV)

Romans 8:5 People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. 6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.
7 Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God's laws. 8 If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
9a You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. (CEV)

What should you take away from these verses? The knowledge that you will only have the ability to resist by submitting yourself to God. You don't have what it takes to overcome by yourself - as you become closer to God, He will become closer to you. He will then help you get through anything you will encounter. Also,you should take away the idea that you will be transformed into a person who is now led by the Holy Spirit. That is the plain and simple meaning of the word 'spiritual.' This means, however, that you will no longer be free to pursue your own desires. You will now now pursue God's desires so that you can please Him. That will be a huge step for you, so contemplate now what that will mean for you.

Reflect on these scriptures and on the new man or woman of God you would like to be. In my next post, I will give you some practical tips and helpful advice to guide you through your great change.



CEV - Contemporary English Version Bible
ASV - American Standard Version Bible
KJV - King James Version Bible

Religion, Spirituality, Christian, Christianity, Self-Help, Advice, Change