Frustrated With Yourself? Trusting in the God Who Transforms

Last week I drove my two children home from my son’s preschool. The sun shone through the windows and lit up the neglected dust on my dashboard. I listened to the kids chattering about their lunchtime wishlists (which mostly included fruit and chocolate).

Of the four lanes on this stretch of interstate, I drove in the far-right one going over the speed limit but not nearly as fast as those rushing by on the left.

A sudden movement in the side mirror caught my attention.

Before I had time to react, an SUV swerved off the road and onto the shoulder. It passed on my right moving so quickly the vehicle appeared mostly as a blur. It nearly missed hitting the merging traffic entering my lane.

My hand flew to my heart, and the breath caught in my chest.

The driver glanced at me in his side mirror, but I don’t know whether it was to see my reaction or to ensure his own safety when he swerved back on the road.

It took several minutes to regain my composure and squelch the rising anger I felt when I considered how he endangered my kids.

Closer to home, I exited the interstate onto a curvy two-lane road.

In the middle of the street, a utility worker was setting up cones around his truck. When he saw me approach and slow to a stop, he hastily waved his arm. He shouted, “Go! Go! Go!” Surprised by his impatience, I cautiously passed.

You can gather from these two incidents that either 1) I’m a terrible driver that infuriates others or 2) impatience, anger, and selfishness lurk just under the surface of our humanity.

(I hope you’ll assume the best about my driving skills and pick #2; otherwise, my illustration falls apart.)

Looking in a Mirror

More thankful than usual to have made it home in one piece, I pulled into the driveway and wondered aloud, “what is wrong with everybody today?”

In one of those lightning bolt moments, the Holy Spirit called to mind some of my own impatient, frustrated responses.

It was as if he put a mirror in front of my face, showing me what a display of selfishness looks like, and I was humbled to be reminded of my shortcomings in this area.

There have been moments in the past two years when I thought I was over and done with anger and impatience.

I hoped Jesus had helped me conquer that mountain and led me forward in freedom.

But instead, I’m learning that I have to make war against this sin pattern again and again.

It’s the opposite of one and done. It’s many and over and over again.

We Are Being Transformed

Your struggle may differ from mine, but I know we all do struggle. Our flesh beckons us to do the very things we don’t want to do (see: Romans 7:15-20).

What then? Are we resigned to a life of struggle, chaos, and inner conflict? Although the struggle against our sinful nature won’t be put to death until we meet Jesus face-to-face, I find peace in the promises of God.

My eyes landed on 2 Corinthians 3:18 this morning, and my heart filled to the brim reading these words:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Our God is a transforming God. He removes the veil, reveals his glory, and transforms us as we behold him.

When we make a mistake or flat-out deliberately sin, we have a clear course of action—we ask forgiveness of God and of those we hurt, we turn away from our sin, and we ask for God’s grace and strength to enable us to walk in obedience.

But what about our sinful nature:

• The bend in our hearts that leans away from God?
• The preference of self before God and others?
• The first less-than-holy reaction that reveals our less-than-holy hearts?

It can feel like we have less control of these inclinations. If you long to be free of that sinful nature, as I do, let Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:49 speak to you today, “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”

We are born looking like Adam, but we are being transformed to look like Jesus.

We are born looking like Adam, but we are being transformed to look like Jesus. #sanctification #transformation #changecomesfromGod Click To Tweet

The God Who Transforms

God is trustworthy and dependable. If you are in Christ, then you can know he is transforming your heart today, from one degree of glory to another. “For this comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Father God,

Your promises tell me that you are doing a transforming work in my heart and in the heart of every believer. Grant me eyes to see where you are working and how to join you by participating in your sanctifying purposes. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that allows me to exchange shame for glory.

In Jesus’s name,
Amen.

*Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash