Changing On The Inside...

on

...the keys to spiritual recovery and lasting change.

John White has been one of my long time favourite authors, and coming back to this book has been both challenging and refreshing. Reading it this time, I was struck by the similarity of style to CS Lewis. Like Lewis. his ideas are presented logically and clearly, and always with great wisdom and a grasp of the issues people face in the real world.

One interesting point he makes is that repentance and change, more often than not, come as a result of crises, or erathquakes as he calls them; events in our lives that force us to face ourselves and move on. It is certainly true that pain is a great motivator!

The more of life we have, the greater our experience of both joy andpain....To choose real change is to choose a greater capacity for life. Repentance is a doorway to life. And life is wrapped up in a bundle with pain, something that most of us fear. I am not a masochist, but I have learned to appreciate pain. By this I do not mean that I enjoy pain, but that I understand its role in life. p213

Can people change? The answer is YES. People can change. They can change for the better. They can change permanently for the better. They can even 'grow', mature, and develop emotionally. They can learn a new zest for life. This is why repentance must be ongoing. p215

People who have truly repented have no further need to fear others' knowing about the evil that is inside them. In that sense they can be naked. They do not forget the evil they did, but their experience of pardon is deep enough to end their fear and shame. They can look the rest of us in the eye with joy and confidence. p117

Comments

SandyCarlson said…
I needed this here and now, Mike. Thanks.
18 June 2009 at 02:22
Pietro Brosio said…
People can change for the better, that's true. The change may be both spiritual and bodily. A recent example (only a month ago) of a bodily changement is the last miracle at Lourdes: a woman with sclerosi multipla who was on a wheelchair, during the pilgrimage suddenly has recovered from her illness. She has ended her pilgrimage perfectly walking and helping to push the wheelchairs! Sublime and amazing, isn't it?
18 June 2009 at 05:08
deenar said…
Amen.What a friend we have in Jesus who bears all our burdens and sins.Isay the prayer of penitence every morning-not 4myself only but for all who are dear and near 2 me.We practically sin everyday in some form- in thoughts,words or deeds.As you dsay when we confess our sins to God,He remembers them no more.If we dont .we grieve and so does the Almighty One.Dear Lord help us to stay focus on You at all times so the tempter will not tresspass.
19 June 2009 at 17:07
Steve said…
Another helpful message....
19 June 2009 at 20:33
Barbara said…
How true. As we come to the end of ourselves in some dire situation we are then ready to let God have His way.
Of course He has been having His way all along in allowing us to get there, we just did not recognise it.
24 June 2009 at 14:15
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