Changed: A 5-Day TransformationSample

DAY 4 – Throw Off the Junk

It takes courage and trust in God to forgive, but it’s well worth the risk. Can you sense a new freedom in your soul? This is what change is all about!

Now it’s time to get down in the trenches and recognize the bad attitudes and behaviors you’ve accumulated from these past experiences. Have you allowed your heart to become hard in self-defense or self-protection?  

You may have developed destructive thought patterns and outward habits out of that hardness that are far from the picture of “wonderful” that God created you to be. To fully embrace change, you’ve got to recognize, acknowledge and deal with them.

Anger, depression, bitterness – you name it – these attitudes and the sin patterns that develop can be like a monkey on your back. They’ll trip you up and slow you down – and you’ll never really be able to love or be happy with yourself. 

You may feel justified in these emotions, but you’ll never connect with who God intended you to become while holding on to them. The bible tells us to throw off those things!

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT

Ask God to come in and forgive you for every area in your heart that is hardened. Then make a decision now – with God’s help – to throw these bad attitudes and behaviors off your life.

Pray it: Dear God, I acknowledge that out of my pain, I have sinned. Please forgive me for all the areas in my life I’ve allowed to become bitter or hard. Change me and soften my heart anew. I ask you to restore rightness in my life, in Jesus name.

Say it: I throw off my old ways. God is renewing me.

Do it: Have your actions harmed others? Go to them and ask forgiveness today. (No texting and no messaging; be brave and go to them in person or with a phone call.)