We all start out like the caterpillar, right? An egg that incubates into life, growing, learning and living what we know in the family God has placed us. But life is not perfect and most of us have parents who have been through some tough stuff. Traumas that have left them wounded and hurting. This makes for some sad, angry and bitter people who lack the ability to love completely like Jesus loved, even Christians. Many times they do what they have had done to them, and this vicious cycle goes from generation to generation. Fortunately, God has made a way out of that cycle. But, like going from a caterpillar to a butterfly, it takes time and patience. You can't rush the process or the results will not be favorable.

Just about everyone has some dark spot from their past that still rears it's ugly head from time to time. If there is no direction in how to face those issues and bring healing, these things will continue to cause us pain. God does not want this for our new life, so He takes us through a process where we can identify the root so He can remove it. This is where the transformation process starts, identifying the original place of hurt that needs to be healed. If we only deal with what is above the ground, it will come back bigger and stronger. Unmasking the dark, old root will allow for deep healing and restoration back to who Jesus made us to be.

When it's time for a caterpillar to start the process of transformation, it must first shed it's old skin. This transition into the pupae stage allows it to break down what was and start rebuilding it's body into something different. In a similar fashion, God allows situations in our life to break us down and rebuild us. He uses difficult times to reveal to us what is really in our hearts. He doesn't do this to shame us, He does it out of love so we can heal and be changed. He knows it will bring us lasting peace and joy and He is with us every step of the way.

There is an ideology in some christian churches that is dangerous. It says that because Jesus prevailed and won the victory over sin and death, all that is required of Christians is to bide their time until Jesus returns. While it is true that Jesus prevailed and has given us the gift of eternal life, the rest of that ideology is not bible-based, it is prideful and arrogant. I know, because I lived with that mindset for many frustrating years. According to Romans 12:2 we are not to be conformed to this world any longer, but be transformed. Last time I checked, transformation doesn't happen just waiting on a park bench. It requires movement and action, changing our minds to that of the mind of Christ. THIS is where transformation happens, where we see true change in our lives and become a walking, talking billboard for the grace, love and mercy of God. This realization changed my life.

As you are led by God through challenges in your life, you will be tempted to only make changes on the outside, where people can see them. While these are good to do, the most important work needs to happen on the inside; in our hearts, through changing our mindsets. Mindsets are powerful things that steer our lives. Cultures are created and destroyed by mindsets. We raise our kids according to a mindset. Our careers can be determined by our parent's mindset. They are integral to our thought process. If we change the mindsets that are not in alignment with the mind of Christ first, the outside changes will happen naturally. It's like a cheat code for life. And, in case you didn't know already, the word "repentance" in the bible literally means "change your mind". Considering it is part of the salvation process in Acts 2, we can safely assume it is important to God.

I used to look at process as the boring part, so I would rush through stuff just to get done. While that worked for things like washing the dishes and grocery shopping, it certainly did not work for other things like going through a crisis. I would focus on the feelings in the crisis and I couldn't figure out why God would allow me to go through such traumatic things. Was it to punish me more? Was it because He really didn't care? I turned to the bible for my answers because no one else seemed to have any.

I read about the Children of Israel in the wilderness, going around the same mountain and never making any progress. God wanted this to be a place that His people would change the slavery mindset, see that He was willing and able to provide for them. But they clung to it too tight and those born in Egypt died in their stubbornness. They rejected the process. So God took the ones that had been born into a harsh environment, where they saw the hand of God in their lives every single day, because they had a different mindset. Don't let stubbornness or pride keep you from seeing your weaknesses. Let God show you what and how to change so you can enjoy and learn through the journey!

Pray this with me...

Lord Jesus, thank you for the path of transformation that will help me be more like you. Thank you for the price you paid that i may have eternal life and be healed inside and out. Help me change my old mindsets and be more sensitive to your voice. Father, give me the mind of Christ, so that I will see every situation through your eyes and identify things in my heart that I no longer need to operate through. Only you can help me change these things Lord Jesus, and only you can bring me complete healing and restoration. I surrender to your will and your ways. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!