Scripture Study
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
Why is it so hard for a man to work on himself?
Taking a hard look at yourself can be really difficult. It means being honest with yourself and then facing the reality that the things that need to change in your life are going to be difficult to change. It’s so much easier to point out the faults in others and complain about them than it is to self-reflect and deal with the uncomfortable feeling of who we really are.
A man’s pride can cause him to blame his faults on others or his circumstances. He may downplay them and tell himself that his faults aren’t as bad as the man down the street—anything to deflect his thoughts from resting on the truth that he may be part of the problem.
In our minds, we think we have everyone fooled, when really the only person we might be fooling is ourselves.
The first thing a man needs to do is convince himself that it’s okay to admit his faults and then trust God to do what only He can do in his life.
Transformed, Not Just Trying Harder
Looking at Romans 12:2, that word transformed is important. The goal isn’t simply, “I need to try harder.” It’s allowing God to change the way we think, respond, love, lead, forgive, and live.
Working on yourself isn’t necessarily about becoming a better version of yourself through sheer willpower. It’s about allowing God to change you.
Overcoming the Initial Gravity
The hardest part is getting started.
When you first start to make a change, that initial effort is going to take the most energy. You have to overcome habits that may have been a part of your life for a long time. You have to overcome those habits and begin forming new ones. But once those new habits begin to take hold, it can get easier.
A rocket taking off is a great example of the initial energy it takes to overcome:
A rocket uses a tremendous amount of energy during takeoff as it works to overcome gravity and get into the air. Once it gets moving, it takes less energy to continue its journey.
I think working on ourselves can be a lot like that. The hardest part can be admitting that something needs to change and then taking that first step. But we don’t have to do it on our own. God is there to help us through the process.
Maybe the question isn’t, “Can I change everything about myself?”
Maybe the question is, “Am I willing to let God change me?”
What is the one thing God is showing you that needs to change in your life, and are you willing to take the first step?
Have a great day in Christ,
Matt
