Chosen Generation
 
I’m sure everyone has seen the show Extreme Makeover where contestants deemed “ugly ducklings” are given a once in a lifetime chance to transform their appearance through a series of plastic surgeries and beauty treatments. By the shows end the contestants often appear as totally different people, more beautiful to themselves that they have ever been. I could imagine it could be overwhelming for a person who has always felt physically unattractive to finally be able to look in the mirror and like what they see. Yet, I question whether an outward transformation of physical beauty can truly change a person on the inside. In the culture that we live in, superficial beauty and outward gratification is most often seen as a path toward inward happiness. But, I would venture to say that the previous statement is the farthest from the truth. I’m sure many of the contestants on Extreme Makeover found after returning home that their new outward beauty could not solve the inward issues they may have been facing prior to getting the makeover. 

So, how do we reach toward transformation from the inside out? It is battle that many of us face on a daily basis. How do we get to the place where our changes are no longer superficial but true and consistent? We are all shaped by the things that have transpired in our lives. We are products of the environment from which we come. It is an easy thing to put on makeup or grow a beard to make us feel more beautiful or transform our outside, but to make the inside beautiful is another thing. What a journey this can be for someone who desires true transformation. I have personally been on the alter so many times, only to realize that after I got back home the change didn’t look so easy anymore. My problems felt like mountains again and God felt so far away. But I have learned several things along the way:

1)      You must know who you are as a person and know where you truly stand. You have to face yourself everyday, so it is imperative that you are honest with yourself and God as to where you truly stand. (For me, I am honestly still trying figure out who I am) You can’t change from the inside until you know this. Proverbs 23:7 states “for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Be honest with God he can help you change. 

2)      You must know who God says that you are and how He feels about you. God has so many wonderful thoughts about us. Jeremiah 29:11 says “for I know that thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end.” Knowing what God says about you will carry you in your weakest moments. Read the Word of God. 

3)      You must renew your mind daily.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:2. Past hurts and pain will always try to overwhelm our minds and hinder our transformation. For this reason, we have to continuously acess where we are and make strides to think like God thinks rather than as the world thinks, or even how we feel about ourselves. 

4)     You must realize that changing from the inside is a lifelong journey. ”I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 3:14. The journey of changing from the inside out may begin today but it continues for a lifetime. Storms will come, circumstances will change and you will have to begin again sometimes. But, in the end it is worth the journey to become the best You that you can be. 

Let God transform you from the Inside Out!


 
Latoya
3/11/2010 12:48:56 am

I love it! I'm lookin inside of ME! We spend so much time focused on everyone else's issues, but we must focus on ourselves and be sure that we're exuding from the inside exactly what we're trying to portray from the outside.

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