Transformation

Transformation: Mind. Body. Soul. Part 1

This is a story about my transformation. I apply it to three areas in my life.

My mind.

My body.

My soul.

They all work and flow together with God in the center. When I was trying to describe my transformation into words, the first thing that came to me — cliché I know — was Christ.

God changed me.

Only God can change unchangeable people.

About 7-8 years ago, I gave my life to Christ. For the first time I felt love. I felt His mercies and His direction. Choosing to follow Him and surrender my life in its entirety to His truths, will and teachings. In doing this, God has and continues to work in and through my life every day.

I have been delivered from the lies that the enemy has been manipulating me to believe my whole life.

How?

What words describe how God has got me to this point in my journey? I thought…

I have joy in my life. A reason to live. A purpose.

I have found peace. Peace that I cannot worry about the things and circumstances around me. Peace in knowing that God’s got this. God’s got me.

A big one for me — I love, I am loved and I love myself.

I am faithful. God is faithful. We are one big faithful team!

I am good enough. I am good to others. I am good to myself.

I have a gentle and calming nature. Gentle with my words and my actions to others and myself.

I am patient. Patient with the progress of my mind, body and soul.

I have self-control. I do not feel the need to freak out and control everything anymore. I can’t control others and the ways of this world but I can control how I handle myself and in a way that is honoring to God.

All those things above, I haven’t had or I was living in the opposite of them. Making excuses such as, “Well, this is how I just am. Take it or leave it.” or “Everyone I know or people in my family are like this. So, this is just normal. People and relationships are just unhappy and that’s the way it is”.

Ladies! That is a lie.

There is a normal. There is a way of living that God calls you to and is rooting for you to have. I didn’t know what was “normal”. Until I became a Christ-follower, I never knew how to mature spiritually and become those things. I didn’t have those steady, positive, healthy role models consistent in my life growing up to mirror and show me healthy, God honoring relationships.

I jumped out into this world with my high school sweetheart, now husband, and my dog. God has changed me. God has matured me — and He will continue to. He has strategically placed people in my life to help me on my journey. This group/community of ladies has been a huge stepping stone in my maturity and growth. They are such an incredible, impactful blessing to me.

Anyway…after declaring all those things I was like, “Wait…I have heard these core words before….”

Those are the fruits of the spirit, right? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. Hmm. Um, God? You are too funny.

Now I see it. True transformation is shown by the fruits you bear now with Christ’s spirit living inside you!

I want to stress this to you ladies because I know it feels watered down sometimes when you hear this from Christian women. But truly, I tell you that I AM NOT PERFECT. I still struggle and stumble with everything I was describing above! But those things no longer define the woman that I am today, I am no longer a slave to my sin. I am no longer giving into my sin and stamping an excuse to it. I am rising up and doing something about it. The living God is inside me. My life is not my own. I gave my life away. It’s in the hands of Christ. He is directing my path. Transforming me in a new way of life. It’s not about me.

How can we start on this path of transformation? That’s a good question! Check out  part two for suggestions and download a couple of great printables too.

Heather and her husband live in Smithsburg MD. They attend Lifehouse church and are active at the local YMCA. Heather is a photographer, coffee lover and fitness momma with 3 babies. She is thankful to be a stay at home Mom and is passionate about women’s ministry and the opportunities and gifts God has placed in her life and on her heart.