Happy Thursday

Transformational Change

By D'edra Y. Armstrong

In the first Book of Corinthians, the Apostle Paul details the transformation of Christ. The fifteenth chapter describes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. As we can see, Christ underwent distinct changes in order to claim victory—he was killed, he was buried, and he was resurrected. Today, many of us want the transformation without undergoing change. However, you will never be transformed without undergoing change. To be transformed and claim victory, we must undergo physical, spiritual, and emotional change. 

No matter how strategically we think we have planned, we only have limited control over our lives. Some things in life will happen no matter how much we try to prevent them. In life, there are no certainties, only a few guarantees—trouble and death. It is change that presents us with a unique opportunity to grow. It is through change that we are transformed. When change happens, we have a few options: We can live with it, adapt to it, or grow from it. Many of us, however, resist change because it takes us out of our comfort zones, exposing some degree of our vulnerability. Interestingly, it is not change that is difficult; it's adapting to change that becomes problematic.

When change occurs, we most often first feel that there is a loss of some sort. If we lose our jobs, emotion interprets the event as a loss of identity or financial stability. If we develop illness or disease, emotion interprets it as loss of good health. If our personal relationship comes to an end or experiences a major shift, emotion interprets it as a setback. But we must shift our way of thinking. Christ did not resist change; he knew that in it, there were great rewards—triumph and victory.

We are reminded in II Corinthians 4:16 that "our inner man is being renewed day by day." In order to be renewed, we must be transformed. We must develop the mind of Christ when it comes to change, knowing that there awaits a greater reward. Christ did not try to get down off the cross. And when we fully accept the fact that transformation requires a marked change, we'll know that an old job can be replaced by a new and more lucrative-paying one, our health can and will be restored, and a healthier and stronger relationship will be built. In other words, you simply cannot hold on to the old when the new is trying to break through; you have to give up one for the other. We all must undergo transformational change if we expect to experience daily renewal.

No matter how devastating the form of change, a golden opportunity awaits. The intended purpose of change is a positive one—personal and spiritual growth. The event or circumstance itself is often temporary, but the benefit can last for a lifetime. Embrace your change and be transformed and renewed in mind, body and spirit.

Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)

Daily Smile:

Vice President Pride

Tom was so excited about his promotion to Vice President of the company he worked for and kept bragging about it to his wife for weeks on end.

Finally she couldn't take it any longer, and told him, "Listen, it means nothing, they even have a vice president of peas at the grocery store!"

"Really?" he said. Not sure if this was true or not, Tom decided to call the grocery store.

A clerk answers and Tom says, "Can I please talk to the Vice President of peas?"


The clerk replies, "Canned or frozen?"