The only way to change the direction of our lives—long-term—is to reset our “autopilot.” That’s what the transformation choice is all about. Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformed. Renewed mind. If we want to change our lives, we’ve got to reset the autopilot on the way we think. Our thoughts determine our feelings, and our feelings determine our actions.
What character defects are you trying to stop by using your own willpower? Are you tired yet? Have you figured out that you can’t do it on your own until you reset your autopilot? By God’s power, your mind can be changed and your autopilot can be reset.
The following seven focus points will show you how to cooperate with
God as he works to change your autopilot and gets you heading in the right direction.
1. Focus on changing one defect at a time
You may have 30 different things you know need changing, but the wisdom of Proverbs tells us, “An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.” Trying to tackle all 30 problems at once is like those little bugs that fly around in all directions, never making any real progress but stirring up a lot of motion. Ask God to help you focus on changing one defect at a time. Otherwise you’ll feel overwhelmed and discouraged, and you won’t be able to change anything at all.
Focus on one specific change at a time, such as your anger, anxiety, workaholism, dishonesty, or your tendency to control people. Let God help you focus on one defect at a time.
2. Focus on victory one day at a time
God didn’t promise to give us all the groceries we need for the entire year so we can stuff our refrigerator full and then forget about him. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he said, “Give us today our daily bread.” He didn’t say, “Give us this month our daily bread.” He didn’t ask for one week, one month, or the rest of his life. Why? Perhaps for two reasons: first, God wants us to lean on him day by day; and second, he knows we can’t handle looking forward to a whole lifetime all in one chunk. We need it broken down.
We live in a world of instant everything: mashed potatoes, coffee, microwave popcorn, even information. And we want instant spiritual maturity. One day we are a total mess, and we want to be Billy Graham the next. It doesn’t happen that way. Don’t set a deadline for yourself; just work on it one day at a time. Each night thank God for whatever change or victory he has worked in your life, no matter how small.
3. Focus on God’s power, not your willpower
Can you remember your last New Year’s resolutions? Even if you can remember them, have you followed through and actually done them? Probably not. Studies show that within six weeks, approximately 80 percent of us break our New Year’s resolutions.
You already know that willpower isn’t enough. If your own willpower worked, you would have already changed. The truth is, your self-will can’t help you change because you don’t have the power to do it. In fact, depending on your own strength will actually block your recovery. It’s like trying to turn that big boat by your own willpower when it’s set on autopilot to go the opposite way. You struggle and try, but in the end you are defeated.
God’s Word gives us some profound insight: “Can…a leopard take away his spots? Nor can you who are so used to doing evil now start being good” (Jeremiah 13:23). Forget it. You’ll never change by your own willpower. Here’s the good news: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). He can help you change your character defects if you submit to him and pray, “Lord, I know I can’t change on my own power, but I’m trusting you to change me.”
Photo: Mikulas Jaros
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