How to Bring Lasting Changes in Your Life -2

We are studying how to bring lasting changes in our life.

2. Fix your attention on God (and His Word). You’ll be changed from the inside out.
 
If you really want lasting changes in your life, then you will have to focus, fix your attention on God and His Word. To raise your standard of living, you will have to raise your standard of thinking.
 
The truth is most people, deep down already know what is not right in their life. However, because of the way they think, they end up doing the same things they always do. They justify their acts by their thinking. Years pass by, and then it’s too late.
 
To bring lasting changes, you will have to pattern or model your life after the life of Christ, who is our perfect example. You will need to replace the old, unhealthy thought patterns with new principles that are found in the Word – the Bible.
 
Let me give you an example. One day, as I was reading the word, I came across this verse.
 
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles. (Psalm 103:4-5)
 
This verse spoke to me, saying that if I had to enjoy good health, I needed to take care of the food that entered my mouth. From that day itself, I made three small changes to my food habits.

1. I would not drink any aerated drinks
2. I would not eat ice-creams
3. I would try and avoid sugar at all times

The above may seem simple to many (and frightening to some), but the fact was, it did make a big difference to me personally. This is just one example I have shared to help you begin your journey towards lasting change.
 
You could raise your standard of thinking in areas such as training your body, prayer etc. The impact and influence of your life is a reflection of your standard of thinking. Anyone can raise their standards of thinking regardless of how much money they have in their bank account. It’s not about the money; it’s about the mindset.
 
Real change is always inside out. Something has to change on the inside, and only then that change will be evident to all.
 
Everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
 
When we are shopping for new clothes, before we can put on the new ones, we have to take off our old clothes. We cannot just put the new on the old. It just doesn’t work that way. So also, to bring lasting changes, we may have to raise our standard of thinking to match His Word. This may mean having to let go of negative attitudes and old worldly ways of thinking.
 
This may seem like a lot of work to some. However, think of the impact your life will have on the people around you. History chronicles the example of great men who raised their standard of living by raising their standards of thinking. The same could be said of you in a few months’ time.

Father, I pray that I might be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in my inner man. I pray that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.