Scripture for Transformation

Challenge:

How can you use scripture for self-connection and transformation?

​​REALity:

Ideally, all of us would have filling and productive days to live our best lives.  The reality, however, is that most days are difficult and draining.  Too many of us rely on our own strength to get through the day.  We put on “band aids” to try to fix reoccurring problems and stresses.  Eventually, we get so overwhelmed that we do not even know how to stop the vicious cycle. 

Inspiration:

The Bible is very clear that we are to take care of our bodies.  The great benefit to being a Christ-follower is that He freely gives us what we need to take care of ourselves.  We only have to seek Him and ask!  Jesus is our healer, comforter, encourager, motivator, helper, and advocate.  He wants to pour His strength into us, so we aren’t trying to do everything in our strength.  He knows our weaknesses and is ready to equip us to overcome!
So, what area do you most need Jesus’ strength?  Is it exercise, rest, healthy eating, stress relief, or positive mindset?  Let’s look at verses that will enable us to utilize Jesus’ mighty power to restore us.

The Word of Truth:

For Exercise:

Proverbs 4:12, “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”

​Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Isiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

For Rest:

Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

Psalm 119:76, “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”

Exodus 31:15a, “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord.”

​Exodus 33:14, “The Lord replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.”

For Healthy Eating:

1 Corinthians 10:23, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.”

1 Corinthians 10: 31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Genesis 1:30b, “I give every green plant for food.”

​Proverbs 21:20, “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”

I Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”

For Stress Relief:

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Psalm 68:19, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

Positive Mindset:

Proverbs 17: 22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Colossians 2:6-8, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Action Plan:

Pick ONE area that you want to commit to work on with Jesus.

Memorize the verses associated with that area.

Set yourself up for success by putting those verses in multiple places like your car, bathroom mirror, calendar, screen saver, and Echo Dot.

Refer to the verses often and ask Jesus to pour His power into you.

Once you have learned to rely on Jesus’ strength in one area, choose another area and repeat steps 2, 3, and 4.