Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Questions? So what does transformation look like and how do we change?
Change can happen in many different forms but really I’ve found that change for me takes place when I’m desperate. In fact, I’ve heard it said that God stands for Gift of Desperation.
If you’re desperate for an area of change in your life consider that a gift. If you need to change but you’re not desperate, pray that God would give you the gift of desperation.
Coach Keith Webb has an equation for Transformation.
TRANSFORMATION = DISCOVERY + ACTION + REINFORCEMENT (TO THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.)
Discovery . . .
This usually takes place when listening to a sermon that resonates with what you’re struggling with. For me, this happened in a counselors office.
Action . . .
This step is putting feet to your prayers. We know that faith without works is dead. Behavioral change is necessary for freedom, it’s a step of faith. God won’t work against your will. Do you 1% and watch Him do the 99. Remember, Phil. 2:13 tells us that He gives us the “Want to” when that happens take full advantage of it. It’s a gift from Him.
Reinforcement . . .
It’s the encouragement you receive to keep going and not give up! It’s putting on your jeans and having them fit for the first time in a long time. It’s seeing the benefit of hard work. It’s the reward for the effort.
To the higher power of the Holy Spirit . . .
The Holy Spirit is gives us the desire and the power to change. Now that IS transformation. Today, I am a very different person, to the glory of God. We don’t transform in a vacuum. God uses His Wor, the body of Christ, doctors, counselors, you name it, God causes all things (even our past) to work together for our good.
I want you to close your eyes and envision that someone has drawn a prophetic picture of you and when they drew you they were drawing you living in total freedom. When you hear 100% freedom what hesitations come up for you? You say to yourself, “Wait, that can’t be me because I struggle with . . .” You fill in the blank.
My friends, I’m here to give you hope. I believe it will come from where you least expect it
Prayer: Lord, give us a willingness and desperation to transform so we can be more like you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click here to watch Char teach about transformation