How to change

[Guest Happy]

If you want to change something inside yourself, how do you go about it? You confess it God first, I know that, then do you just wait for Him to deliver you from something or give you something - whatever you asking, or you also try to work at it?

[Crusader4Christ]

You have to want God to help you out. But first, you must be willing to help

yourself. Remember, you have a free will.

[Catsmeow]

Your questions are so simple yet so complex...truthfully, it's a little hard to answer this one.

I have struggled with it myself. We all have those areas that we struggle with...oftentimes those things which are difficult for us (strongholds where Satan holds some power in our lives)...

For instance, someone may struggle with smoking, while another might have a problem with lust or gambling or some other area.

The list is a mile long but we all have areas of weakness and sometimes it takes time for us to be delivered from a stronghold. Other times it's very swift.

I quite smoking after many years in one night. No withdrawals. After years of struggle and strife, one night I threw out the whole carton, the ash tray ...the whole thing...gone. I put it in God's hands and let go. I never looked back; never had a single cigarette again.

Othertimes, there ARE withdrawals; there is backsliding; there are times when we lose control.

I know Christians who love the Lord deeply but have anger management problems. There's areas in everyone's life and God knows that. He's kind and patient and willing to work with each of us.

Jesus does tell us if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Good questions...hope that helps a little.

[Crusader4Christ]

Very nice Catsmeow.

It took me a while to stop my problem. I was a compulsive swearer. I couldn't

stop! However, I know the Lord helped me through it when I truly became His.

Like I said, you must be committed, and wanting to be able to be helped by

the Lord. However, you must also help yourself.

[jesussaves]

Ever hear someone say, "The Lord helps those who help themselves."

Can anyone who knows the Lord fathom such a non Biblical statement?

Why on earth would the Lord help someone who already was helping themselves?

However, the Lord is more than willing to help everyone who will put their trust in Him. His promises to us are Yes and Amen. So anyone who wants the Lord to help them in a certain area just yield yourself to Him and He will do a work in your life. I have learned over the years that only He can make changes in our lives that are real and lasting. Only He can make a perfect heart. All He wants are willing vessels. He is the Potter, we are the clay.

"He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the sun and moon, earth and stars Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be...He's still working on me."

This little verse from a children's song has a very powerful message.

Hope all you who are seeking change in some area revel in the knowledge that He has given us His Spirit to guide us and He is more than able to bring transform our lives into His image. Be blessed! He is a good God!!

[Adstar]

Hi happy

It is good to ask God for help in dealing with a part of us we find is not what we want it to be. I believe that belief is important in prayer we must believe that God can help us. Also we must try our best at self control. Maybe God will strengthen our self control? His will be done.

But can these things be totally eliminated from us while we are in our earthly bodies?

I do not believe we can pray ourselves into perfection. That

[nebula]

If you want to change something inside yourself, how do you go about it? You confess it God first, I know that, then do you just wait for Him to deliver you from something or give you something - whatever you asking, or you also try to work at it?

One thing you have to ask yourself is, "How much do you want the change?" In your confessing to God, sometimes the first step is not, "Lord, please change this in me," but rather, "Lord, remove the desire for this thing from me."

Unfortunately, the Lord does to always chose to instantaneoulsy remove the desire, but He causes us to go through circumstances to make us sick and tired of the thing! You see, although a person wants to be rid of something, one often finds (s)he still loves the thing too much. If you want to give it up because "you know it is bad for you" or because "you know this thing is wrong," your "want" to give up is really compulsion and not true desire on your part. So, many times the desire has to turn into disgust before the deliverance can come.

Does that make sense?

[rafter]

All the above are good answers. God is the one doing the work......

Ever hear someone say, "The Lord helps those who help themselves."

Can anyone who knows the Lord fathom such a non Biblical statement?

Why on earth would the Lord help someone who already was helping themselves?

These are very good statements. God helps the helpless.

Having said that, In my life things just don't go right unless I am reading the word of God on a regular basis. If I neglect reading for a season I can not hardly stand myself. But when I repent and begin to feed on God's word, I can sense the changes, almost overnight. We need to feed our spirits even though it is God who ultimately does the changing.

At times God is very willing to change us, but is waiting for our obedience to His convicting......

[Guest Happy]

Thank you everyone for great advise. I am going to soak up your answers.

[Catsmeow]

It took me a while to stop my problem. I was a compulsive swearer. I couldn't

stop!

It's so nice to hear someone speak openly about this. My husband struggles with this, too. He's a fairly new believer and it's a problem area for him, also.

He also struggles with a bit of "road rage"...people really annoy him when he's driving.

We all have those strongholds and I know it's not easy to overcome some of them.

I was delivered of smoking instantly and it was 100% the Lord because I was so badly addicted, I couldn't quite...I tried and failed a hundred times.

The Lord Himself took it all away...He took the desire and the need in a moment..it was gone as if I never smoked once.

That's a miracle!

Other areas of weakness don't seem to come so quickly or without struggle. Some are really, really tough.

But one thing I do know...God is working on each of us ...and we're each a "work in progress"...Amen?