We want change. Maybe it’s the way we get impatient or reactive. We want to flip that switch, so we read up on it. We ask for advice. We fight the urges to do what we’ve always done.
We want change, but we don’t always want transformation.
God Knows Your Name
Transformation sounds long and drawn out–possibly entailing some level of discomfort. Yep.
The place of darkness inside of us, the place we might deny is there, and for sure the place we don’t want God looking around, that’s the exact place where the dark is waiting to be made light.
“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).
Go Deep, Look Inside and Call for God
We may want to change, but change comes through transformation. Who transforms us? On a deep spiritual level, God transforms us. He goes into the dark rooms; he goes into the hidden places.
With transformation comes suffering. Strongholds will get pulled away from us, and the light will hurt our eyes. Keeping our faith in times of trial, we’ll get twisted, stretched and remolded. We will cry out for help, and we will struggle to remember this is all for the highest good.
Yes, we will suffer, but in our suffering we become more like God. Have patience with your transformation and the transformation of others–God is doing His work, and it is perfect.
There is No “Dirty Work” Too Dirty for God
He wants to purify our heart. He wants to wash us clean. He wants us to look to him now–to reach out to Him. Acts 17:27 says, “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
It’s time to open that door. It’s time to peer inside that closet. Don’t go it alone. Go with God and celebrate small successes along the way. Stay with it, and God will deliver you. He loves His children, and there is nothing that can take God’s love away from us.
With many blessings to you, please take hope in this prayer:
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
– Job 23:10-12
We will reach out to God over and over again. How does God help you reach out for Him?
Photo Credit. Thank you!
BunnyB1802 says
Today, God is helping me to reach out to Him through my grumpy husband who is stranded in the snow and hasn’t been able to get home since Tuesday. I understand the grumpiness and the frustration but don’t appreciate the sarcasm, irritibility and other nonsense that goes with being the closest thing to attack. But, even in this, yes I sense God saying “take this opportunity not to respond like for like but instead show love, understanding and be gentle with your words”. A challenge when what I want to do is rip his head off but I’m going to reach out to God and ask for that help!
Jennifer Johns says
I can relate! Haha.
Thanks Bunny. Your comment reminds me that God shows us the way through potential mine fields when we keep our focus on the example and love of Christ. Growing us along the way. Showing us how to love.
Blessings!
BJ says
With years of struggles, trials, and sorrows, God has me reaching out to Him by constantly asking Him to help me.
.
I guess He is helping me, but somehow I find myself with another struggling situation on top of other struggling situations. So I keep asking for His help.
I think it is a “long, drawn out” transformation………but meantime, I am mentally exhausted, have no motivation, and everything around me is a mess.
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Of course I don’t know when this will come to a better end…if at all….but I have to keep reaching out to Him for His help and guidance.