Day 26~ Our God who Changes us

During our lives, God may do things to try to change us.

Most people may think of change in a negative light and many people may encourage others not to change.

However, if there is no change, there can be no progress. 

Imagine if we still sent messages by mail to our friends instead of using our phones or computers. 

It certainly takes more time than if you just message them because you have to write the letter, buy envelopes and stamps and get their addresses, then go to a post office. In addition, it would take a couple days at best, to get to them.

If we never changed the way we did things, there would be no progress and without progress we won't be able to have better or be better.

What if time never progressed and you were stuck living this day over and over again?
Maybe you had a good day today and you wouldn't mind, but eventually, reliving today would bore you and you will want change.
If today was a bad day for you, reliving it over and over again would be equivalent to torture.

This is why change is necessary, so that we don't get stuck in the same place.

In the same way that society and time must keep progressing, so must we and God helps us to do just that by changing us.

When we change, we progress and move to higher levels and higher heights.

Take for example a video game.
When you've accomplished the goal of one level you progress to the next level but it may be a bit more difficult however, that's what keeps it interesting; the changes, the progression.

Our God is a God who changes us.
How exactly does he do that?

Well, 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us;

"For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human, causes death."

God sometimes uses sorrow to bring about a change in us.
It may be sorrow in the form of disappointment or regret, but God uses that to help us to change.

Change helps us to grow and growing helps us to better handle life.

You may ask, 'But if God made me the way I am, why would he want me to change?'

Well, although God created us, we have free will, that is, we tend to make our own decisions, for example, we decide what we want to wear each day, God doesn't make that decision for us, sure he may lead your steps if you ask him but it's generally an independent decision.

However, there are some decisions that we make that portray our character and that's what God really cares about.

For example, if we choose to get upset with the person walking in front of us because they're walking slowly. That's also your decision and if you do get upset, it may show that you're not a patient person.

God tries to push us in the right direction by changing the way we respond to, and react to situations, because how we react shows what we carry in our heart's.

In Ezekiel 11:19, God said;

"I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their heart of stone and will give them a new heart and a new mind."

God wants to renew our heart's and mind's so that we can be kinder and more loving toward one another. He wants to change the way we feel in our heart's and think in our minds. In other words, God wants us to be humble.

Humility is defined as, the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.

Of course that doesn't mean that you shouldn't love yourself and take care of you, neither does it make you any less important in God's eyes, but it does mean that we should put others before ourselves and be more considerate.

This is what Jesus was trying to say when he said in the gospels, that the last will be first and the first will be last.

If you become last by putting others first, God will put you first.

Humility is very necessary because it teaches us that everyone is important and that we're all imperfect.

Not to mention, if we have humility, we can also have;
Patience, because we know that each of us work at our own pace,
Kindness, because we realize that everyone has their own difficulties,
Love, because we know that everyone's important,
Faithfulness, because we see that we must support one another,
Goodness, because we understand that everyone has ups and downs,
Gentleness, because we know that it can keep peace,
Self control, because we know that we don't live for pleasure,
Peace, because we know peace is more important than being right and
Joy, because we know that we can choose to be happy.

These of course comprise the fruit of the spirit which Paul talks about in Galatians.

I'm not saying it's always easy to be humble, especially when we're dealing with people who may have a lot of pride, but if you have humility, God will bless you, while they may still be a work in progress, you might be one step closer to living the amazing life God has in mind for you.

You see, sometimes, it's not about choosing to be happy. Sometimes it's about not choosing anger or hate or hostility. It's about switching the gears of your mind to drive and moving forward.

God wants us to change and be people who would reflect his greatness.

I pray today that you will allow God to change you, because he is the potter an you're his clay, he's going to make you into something magnificent if you would let him.

Listen to God's voice and try to change in the way he's leading you to and I have no doubt that your life will be full of abundance and blessings.