Jan 8, 2014

Whatever It Takes

Are you willing to change to be more like Jesus, whatever it takes?

This morning as I prayed for friends of mine, I thought about their struggles and their victories. Some of them are struggling now, and have been going through the same struggles for quite some time. They have sought counsel, prayed, and tried. And yet they remain strugglers.

Others have been through many struggles and overcome them, one struggle at a time. Their lives reflect the deep grace of the change made possible through their willingness to follow God's way. These victors also sought counsel, prayed, and tried.

The difference?  The victors said “whatever it takes”, meant it, and acted on the counsel they received; the strugglers did not. Instead of willingness to change, whatever it takes, the strugglers continue to defend their own way, whatever it takes…and whatever it costs.

How many times have I said, “whatever it takes – I’m willing to do whatever it takes!”  Then when the “whatever” wasn’t what I wanted, I backed away and tried another route. Only when I’ve been bruised, worn out, and totally defeated would I even consider that I might be wrong…and be willing to change.

Why does it take so long? Pride! Change to be more like Jesus kills our flesh, and that is painful. “Whatever it takes” means His way and not mine. “Whatever it takes” means I humble myself and admit that I don’t have all the answers; I am weak; I need help. 

Ouch!

Strugglers desire to avoid that pain, yet forget they’re already in pain. But instead of the fruitful pain of change that is temporary, they suffer perpetual pain that drains the life right out of them. So they continue to struggle, defeated and hopeless, when they could be free; if only they were willing to truly do whatever it takes.

Thankfully, with good counsel and by the grace of God, I did eventually become a victor in many areas of my life. I still struggle, and always will from time to time, over the happenings of “life”.  Thankfully, I’ve learned that the faster I say - and mean - whatever it takes”, the faster I achieve victory.

And I’m not any different from you! The same grace that set me free from my struggles is available for you. All you need to do is be willing to receive it God’s way, and give up the demands for your way.

Whatever it takes, words the Lord does not hear often enough.

Whatever it takes, the only way to achieve victory over struggles.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE: What are you struggling with today? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to have the victory you desire? 

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for this timely reminder. I know I often want change but not the pain or discomfort that produces that change. There's so much wrapped up in that simple word "Whatever."

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    1. Yes, it is simple but not always easy. BUT always worth it! Thank you for your encouragement, Tina!

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  2. A beautiful post, Mary.
    From "My Utmost for His Highest" this morning: What God wants is [our] sacrifice through death which enables us to do what Jesus did...sacrifice our lives.
    Your dear friends were willing to be "living sacrifices" through their struggles in order to follow Jesus - and to be victorious.

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    1. Thank you, Sherry - I like the "living sacrifices" reminder! I've always been blessed by that devotional, maybe I need to go back to it.

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  3. Mary, you always seem to post what I need to hear on just the day I need to hear it. Funny how God works like that. What a world of difference between an eye rolling '"whatever" and a humble "whatever it takes."

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    1. LOL - I've certainly done, and still do, both of the "whatevers"....with very different results. Thank you for your encouragement!

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Thank you for your G-rated comments!