Here are three things I’ve seen in my own life that have prevented me from experiencing transformation.
1. Sin Management
There have been seasons in my life that I’ve convinced myself I can manage my sin. I can deal with it. It’s not that big of a deal. No one is getting hurt. No one knows about the secret struggles I have. I can handle it. I can stop anytime I want. Transformation only takes place in our hearts as we submit all our life to Christ. Keeping parts of our heart hidden, trying to manage our sin, puts a lid on the amount of change we are capable of experiencing.
2. Insecurity
What keeps most of us from changing and has held me back so many times in my life is my own insecurity. What will others think about me? If I admit I’m in debt, what will people think? If I confess my porn issue, how will my friends react? If I seek help for my anger management issues, that will change others’ perception of me. Insecurity causes us to pretend that we are more put together than we really are. Fake people don’t change. Insecurity always kills transformation.
3. Pain Avoidance
I like avoiding pain more than I like change. Change usually always requires pain. In fact, most of the seasons of transformation in my life have been initiated by tremendous pain or discomfort. Personal failure; financial hardship; job transition; marriage problems; relationship issues. When we begin to value avoiding pain more than we value transformation, we are guaranteed to stay the same.
I bet you want to change. You want to be different. I know that is the desire of your heart. You want a different marriage. You wish your relationship with your kids was different. You want to stop whatever it is you can’t stop. I do too.
Transformation is possible. There is a cost involved upfront … but the payoff is priceless.
