Christian Reflection and Prayer

(The next Reflections will be a series
of 14 brief messages on how you can make a
Fresh Start in your life. It is my prayer
that these suggestions will help provide
a real renewal in your total life.)


How You Can Make a Fresh Start
Whitney Hopler

Do you feel stuck?  Maybe you don't
like the way your life has been going
lately, but can't seem to change it.
No matter how stuck you may have
become, you can move forward with
God's help.  Here's how you can make
a fresh start to change your life for the better:

#3. Identify the pain that lies underneath
your sinful attitudes and behaviors. 
Whatever problem you're trying to
change - porn, gambling, overspending,
speaking profanity, or something else -
has some pain that's causing it.  Ask
God to reveal the core reason why you're
struggling with the sin that is making you
stuck in life right now.  Tell God that you
want to live in a way that pleases Him
and is healthy for you.  Trust Him to heal
your pain as you move closer to Him.

{Adapted from Fresh Start: God's Invitation to
a Great Life copyright 2009 by Doug Fields.
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
Nashville, Tn., www.thomasnelson.com.)
Article publication date: August 20, 2009