If you ever meet an iceberg, you should know that what you can see is only around ten percent. of its mass. As Christians, we can sometimes make changes that are visible to others, whilst the roots of who we are remain unaffected. This week, we begin a series looking at what it means to be an emotionally healthy Christian.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Paul declares that when you become a Christian, God makes you a new person. Your old life is gone, and your new life has begun!
However, for many Christians – me included – that’s not our experience. Why? Often, it’s because our discipleship hasn’t helped us deal with the deep wounds and sin patterns that have grown up in our lives. We continue to be plagued by past difficulties, arguments, conflicts, and failures. How we live out our Christian lives doesn’t seem to transform the deep places in our lives.
One reason is because many of us do not emerge emotionally mature from our families. Our families are often cracked and broken, certainly not perfect, and that influences us. They are marked by the consequences of the disobedience of Adam and Eve described in the Bible. Even the best families can hide reasons for shame, family secrets, lies, relationship breakdowns and disappointments.
It is vital we understand all this to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us in the way Paul promises. Understanding the old things in our lives – our hurts and hang ups – can help us to be the people God longs for us to be.
THINK IT OVER
Think about the following:
•How does it feel to be honest with God about where you have come from?
