Discussions About Transformation
Belief is the cornerstone to making healthy changes. When we truly believe in something better for our lives, we’ll go to great lengths to make sure that we adopt this belief into our ways of living.
I’m reluctant to formulize an exact blueprint detailing the process of change. Mostly, because the second I try to create a definitive matrix is the second I narrow the scope of spontaneity and beautiful new growth in your own transformation. Brokenness in humanity spurs us to center our lives on things that are nutritious for our being. Creating healthy patterns of change might not necessarily satisfy our appetites or actually set us free from the bondage of feeling incomplete, but it does cause in us a yearning for healing.
Each person’s life narrative differs in terms of spiritual orientation and ways of pursuing happiness. Outlined below, I have simply sketched some of the creative ways God has implemented change in my life. The real lesson was learning how to get out of my own way in order to really absorb the call of His voice.
Essentially it’s impossible to duplicate the exact stages of transformation and apply them neatly into the lives of those who earnestly desire change, but I will attempt to describe the milestones of complete transformation. Hopefully this schematic might help you to understand the possibilities associated with the process:
- Vision. Belief emboldens us to a new vision, helping us to view things differently from our old ways of thinking and acting. Usually, new vision enlightens our souls to the process of “being” instead of creating “to-do lists” regarding personal improvement.
- Commitment. Once we begin to see the potential outcomes from our new vision, then we’ll start applying various techniques of change to our present circumstances. The emphasis to actualize change begins after we make the commitment to change.
- Train Our Bodies. Belief and faith are intertwined in the fight against fear and failure. This is where the rubber meets the road. The more abstract concepts of belief and vision slowly turn into concrete reality, piece by piece. The temptation of reverting back to old lifestyle patterns can be strong, so we must train our mind, emotions, will and bodies, to deliberately move forward, regardless of the immediate challenge.
- Perseverance. Keeping with the intent of moving forward, focus and reinforcement will empower our efforts to shed old ways of thinking for newer intellectual vigor and innovation. It might feel like brute human effort is the only way to accomplish real change at this point but that’s only part of the equation. During this stage it’s beautiful to watch how perseverance through difficulties breaks down our preconceived notions about the human condition and then opens our souls to newer ways of thinking. As a result, completeness begins to unfold.
- Testing Faith. Being reshaped beckons repetitive testing of our belief system, especially our faith. Our ability to endure trials fortifies our character. In essence, we begin to really discover who we are and why we are created. It’s like stepping out of a pit of noise into a place of peace and serenity. Although calamity might still surround us; we can experience true freedom from any circumstances no matter the challenges.
- Alternative Behaviors. Our belief in something better has produced something better within our souls. An alternative way of being, thinking and doing has transformed us. At first, we thought it occurred because of self-determination. Scientifically, it’s easy to justify this supposition as we retrained our neural pathways to respond to a new conditioning program. But from within, there has been a spirit that also worked on our behalf, shaping us intentionally for a higher purpose.
- Serve Others. Lastly, we’ll realize our transformation has really occurred when we recognize that our purpose for living has been formed beyond our own comfort zone. It’s at this juncture when we can look back at the process, as difficult as it might have seemed, recognizing how wonderfully we’ve been stretched and remolded into something better. As our new self bristles with life, our calling has also been changed, no longer being about self-preservation or self-actualization. It now includes serving and loving others around us as well.
As mentioned earlier in this article, belief is the cornerstone to making healthy choices. For ultimate transformation, I encourage you to put your beliefs in Jesus Christ, who will take you from any place of darkness and brokenness into a place of faith, hope and unconditioned living.