"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near’” Matthew 4:17.
Change is integral to our spiritual journey. We must acknowledge that stubbornness and resistance to change are barriers to growing trust in God and fostering a stronger relationship with Him. These can be sticking points no matter how long you have been a Christian. As Deuteronomy 10:16 instructs us, “Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.” Stubbornness can make us rigid and contradicts God’s desire to mold us into His image.
To truly experience divine transformation, we must surrender what is holding us back from giving God every piece of our lives. The hard, painful things that overwhelm us must be released to Him. Jesus told the crowd in Luke 9:23, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Guided by God’s Word, we can learn to let go and let God have control.
Your Call to Action
Identify areas of resistance in your life and examine the reasons behind them. Ask yourself how these hindrances prevent you from opening your heart to God’s love and kindness. Here are some powerful verses about surrendering to God and placing our worries and struggles in His hands:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).
Prayer
Father God, we praise Your holy name! Help us to cast ALL of our cares upon You, leaving nothing behind. Break down our walls of resistance and open our hearts to the love and kindness You have for us. We trust You, Lord. In Your name, we pray, Amen!
A Comforting Closure
Always remember, we are not alone in our struggles. If we lay everything at the feet of Jesus, He is always ready to provide comfort, peace, and guidance. Our spiritual journey is a process, but the journey becomes lighter when we surrender our burdens to God.
Embrace Transformation: Let Go and Let God!
Focus on the Fruits! KINDNESS
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Responding to the Call: Embracing Jesus as Our King
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:17-19).
Choosing a Soft Heart: Rekindling Your Hearts Compassion
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).
Focus on the Fruits! PATIENCE
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
God’s Shining Face: The Profound Impact on Our Lives
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24- 26).
Focus on the Fruits! PEACE
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: A Journey Towards Divine Purpose
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Focus on the Fruits! JOY
“God will let you laugh again; you’ll raise the roof with shouts of joy” (Job 8:20).
Taking Up the Mantle: Your Role in Expanding God’s Kingdom
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).