Tip of My Iceberg

We’ve had an unusual winter for Central Florida. Typically, we have a week of really cold weather–which would translate to anything below 60 degrees–and a little bit of precipitation. This year, we’ve seen more cold days and rain, which brings a dampness that causes the cold to cut through to your bones.

Yes, we are weather wimps. Yes, we tolerate heat and humidity better than many.

We’ve had to adjust.

John’s way of adjusting and mine are quite different. I was brought up by frugal parents who tried hard not to be wasteful. Everything was kept because it could be used again. Maybe.

How that translates to my way of thinking is when it gets cold, I put on another sweatshirt. Keep moving. Don’t sit and whine about how miserable it feels in the house.

That isn’t John’s perception of how things should be.

I know he wasn’t trying to shame me; he was seeking to make a point. Earlier this week, he came out, fully regaled in sweatshirt, sweat pants, and multiple blankets and sat in his chair looking like a version of the abominable snow man that would have had anyone laughing.

Really?

The house had dropped to 59 degrees, and I knew it would warm up. Eventually. The sun was out , and I informed him he could adjust till the house became warmer.

None of us like the idea of adjusting our lives to a new norm. It’s change, and change is hard work. Often uncomfortable, usually annoying. I believe it’s why influencers are so profitable–they’ve made the changes, worked through the adjustments, and provide an easy on-ramp to a new way of doing things.

Is it easier to trust someone else’s judgement than working through an issue on our own?

When Jesus showed up on the scene, He confused people’s perception of what the Messiah would look like. After centuries of following laws and traditions, He upended the Jewish way of life by offering grace and forgiveness instead of ongoing sacrifice.

He wanted people to see that change doesn’t come from outside pressures and restrictions but from a change of heart and attitude.

His message encouraged people to allow the power and presence of God to change them from within.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Having just entered the new year, I wonder how many of us have already discarded well-intentioned resolutions? Our willpower can only operate as long as we opt for making good choices. What happens when temptation hits? When our resolution to eat healthier is upended by a birthday party and the cake is delicious? Or when our desire to exercise it hampered by a late night of work and getting up is impossible?

The power of God working in us to transform our thinking is greater than the strongest will power. Transforming is making a dramatic change in character and perspective which can impact our appearance–how we act and engage others.

So much of what we base our own decision-making process on are lies that we’ve grown up with, untruths that have shaped us because of people or situations that have been hurtful. For years I’ve struggled with the lie that I’m not enough or I’m too much, because those were the words spoken to me growing up. I battle the idea that I will always fail, so why try? The longer I’ve lived with and allowed the lies to burrow deep in my subconscious, the easier it is to believe them.

But God.

God has begun to renew me with the truths He tells me about who I am because I am His. He sees me as worthy, as beloved, and even saying those words sometimes is challenging.

I’m learning.

Adapting to a new way of thinking, a new perspective about who we are, a new attitude toward ourselves is hard. God uses His power to work in us to remind us of His truth and the promise that He will never leave us.

Adjusting is always going to be tough. We get used to the way we act, think, and believe, and too often it feels easier to just do what’s comfortable.

We’re more than that. Better than that.

Because God says so.

Adjusting to colder temperatures isn’t a crisis of character. It’s choosing to dress more warmly.

Adjusting to a change in attitude about who we are is freedom.

That’s character building.