Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Do you sometimes find it hard to forfeit your wants for the sake of another? It's difficult for all of us. There are two kinds of people in the world: selfish people who know they are selfish and selfish people who don't know they are selfish. It is part of our human condition. We are selfish to the core.
Once we understand this, we can humbly allow the Lord to work in us. We know this is our tendency, and we then can accept God's guidance toward humble servant-hood, a love that sacrifices.
When we dwell on self, we tend to think things like, It's not fair. Why did this happen to me? They never listen to me. And these thoughts have a way of circulating over and over in our minds. These kinds of thoughts encourage our selfish nature and lead to feelings of bitterness.
So how can we change? We can be transformed by the power of God's Word. God renews our minds when we focus on Him. Meditate on Scripture and God's love for you. Your thought life will change for the better, and your feelings will follow suite. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, somehow the problems of this world fade away.
In addition, when we pursue God and spend time in His Word, He changes us to become more like Him. What an amazing exchange when our selfish desires decrease as God changes our will to line up with His! Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). He does not give us the desires of our hearts because he comes over to our way of thinking; He gives us these desires because time spent with Him changes our hearts to want what He wants!
Lord, help us to meditate on Your Word so that Your Power will change us and help us to love more like You love.
Julie
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