Tuesday, April 16, 2013 -- Entirely Ready For Change (2)

Many problems simply cannot go away until we become willing to let go of the thinking and believing that ties us to them.  From God’s perspective, that involves a whole new focus around who we are and how we live.  In the past we started with our fears, resentments, and anxieties in mind.  From there we chose reactions, bad attitudes and manipulative or addictive behaviours to try to get what we thought we needed. 

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.  (Colossians 3:5-9 NLT)

In our new life with Christ, we are to train our minds to start with a “God focus” rather than a “me and my needs focus.”  We remember that God is with us, making available to us a power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity.  We tell ourselves the truth that God has a way of life for us that is good and pleasing even though it is very different from what we’ve known until now.  We remind ourselves often that God’s way is better and we actually tell ourselves to surrender to God’s new way.  We give in to God's plan and God's way over and over again.

My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20 NLT)

To give in to God is not to give up.  It's not to give in to harsh intimidation.  To give in to God is to finally allow ourselves to know love and goodness, strength and blessing that fills our lives with something we could never give ourselves. This new focus, this new satisfaction is what flows in us with power and courage to act in ways that overcome our problems.