This post will be the last time I will writing about the Breakthrough sermon series. If you have been following along, the first week I recapped the concept that just ok not being ok, then the Two-Step Breakthrough, followed by a Battle of the Mind. Last week, I recapped Habits that Help. This week I will be recapping the Battle of the Will. You can find the sermon here.
In this sermon series, Pastor Lance discusses the concept of the Battle of Will. He shared that there will always be a battle with the will of God and the will within in us. Doing it the Lord’s way or doing it our own way. This battle of the will continues until you face God in Heaven.
The Process of Change
When we are trying to make a change or have a breakthrough there is typically flow of events that happen. First is to observe the gap or notice the change that needs to happen. Then you feel motivated to change due to the tension that you feel (e.g. eating healthier because you notice your body doesn’t feel good). At this point we add or stop doing something in our life (e.g. add more vegetables into your diet). Once you make life changes, there are two different things that can happen: you can experience success which stimulates growth or you can experience failure which leads to frustration.
When your will to change and self-discipline is based on yourself alone, you have only so much will power. Other stresses in your life can break your self-discipline. This is often when you experience failure. When you experience failure you can feel guilt, shame, and despair because you “fell off the wagon.” However, when our change is based on God it is rooted in his power. He can change our life from the inside out. The will power needs to come from the Lord doing the work within us.
In the Bible (John Chapters 4 and 5), we see two different people who’s stories have very different endings based on where their will power lies. One is the man at the pool who makes excuses, blames Jesus, and then even ‘tattles’ on him. He did not put his trust in Jesus even after he cured him from his physical disability. Whereas the women at the well, trusts Jesus immediately and sees a drastic change in her life. She is able to have her breakthrough.
How to Make Change Happen
I think many of us can say we struggle with perspective and making change happen. We may change for a couple weeks but then we can’t upkeep the lifestyle change. Pastor Lance shared that what is keeping some people from their breakthrough is sometimes their own harden heart. They know their script of their brokenness so well they are stuck in it. Life can be tough and we can so badly need something in us to change or other people we love to change but it has to be Jesus who does this work. We constantly need Jesus to do that work in us from the inside out.
Change your perspective. Learn to celebrate the little breakthroughs. Even if the big breakthrough doesn’t come continue to lean into God. Continue to pray for your loved ones who need a breakthrough so that they come to love themselves because the Lord loves them. When they fail, Jesus wants them to get back on the wagon because Jesus wants them anyway. It is not about the mountains you face but your heart and your faith in God.
Will God’s narrative change your life? (Man at the pool vs. the women at the well). Don’t forget to download the reflection page here to further dive into this sermon.
Stay tuned next week, where will I update you on some of the happenings in our homes and with the MK business.
