“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];” 2 TIMOTHY‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭AMP‬

Soul searching is hard work. We don’t always like what we find, and frequently we don’t know how to deal with the fallout, once the discoveries are made. When we begin to recognize that we need to make significant changes in our lives (whether it’s breaking a bad habit, letting go of something that is treasured, or facing some of our own selfish attitudes), there is a big difference between simply seeing and actually acting upon those changes.

What I am finding is that being in the midst of recognizing the changes that need to made, while also trying to find the will combined with the know how for actually making those changes, feels a bit like trying to stand upright in a tornado. It feels like an all-out assault on the psyche, and the enemy will use those unpleasant feelings to get into our heads and try to cause damage to our spirits.

First, the acceptance that we’ve been living a part of our lives that is contrary to what is pleasing to God is a hit on our mental, emotional, and spiritual self-esteem. We tend to feel shame for our mistakes and/or bad choices. We begin to beat up on ourselves, focusing on the negative thoughts and feelings associated with the issue at hand. Next, after we’ve discovered a needed change, we have to decide to take the steps needed to make it.

This can feel heavy and beyond our capabilities. Part of us is often resistant to the idea of changing an ingrained habit or attitude. The other part of us struggles to discern just where to begin. So, as we are enduring our inner self-flagellation, we are also fighting against our human desire to stay the familiar course, all the while racking our brains to find a way to move forward on a new path we’re already resisting. The longer it takes us to walk through this kind of storm in life, the more careworn and weary we can become.

That is why it is so important to lean on God. When we feel remorse for whatever we’ve done that goes against His will, we ask to be forgiven, and because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are indeed forgiven. At that point, we have to stop carrying the burden of guilt for what is in the past. When we begin to feel the resistance of our humanity against the change we want to make, we have been given the gift of prayer and the word of God from which we can draw strength and motivation. By the same token, as we seek the way to go about making the desired change, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment. We have but to ask God to help us know what to do, and through the Holy Spirit, He will give us what we need.

The bottom line is that we have to remain mindful that God is always stronger than the storm, and God is always with us, ready to help us do what needs to be done.

“For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.” GALATIANS‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭AMP‬‬