Lord, please help me to change - Judith Couchman

LORD, PLEAS E HEL P M E T O CHANG Ehappens. That i s what Go d want s for you i n Chris t Jesus. D o no thold bac k th e wor k o f th e Hol y Spirit, " say s 1 Thessalonians5:16-19.Give thanks ? Whe n we'v e got cellulit e thighs , a n untame dtemper, a people-pleasing problem , o r a drug addiction ? Whe nwe eat to o much , wor k to o hard , an d yel l a t th e kid s too man ytimes?Give thanks? That's what th e Scripture says . As usual, Go dasks us to respond contrar y to our inclinations . Fo r that's when w erelease Hi s power t o change u s attitudinally and experientially .It's hard t o comprehend. Bu t s o i s our insistenc e o n slog -ging throug h mudd y bog s whe n w e could danc e i n th e hig hplaces with God . Mayb e thi s simple sloga n ca n help : Don' t b e a nEeyore when yo u could b e a Pooh .1. Hav e yo u bee n a n optimis t o r a pessimist about your nee d t ochange?2. What' s a t th e roo t o f your self-pity ?Paul talk s about th e attitudes of believers :Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is comingsoon. Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everythingyou need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great wecannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthyof praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable andright and pure and beautiful and respected. Do what you learned andreceived from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the Godwho gives peace will be with you.6'6