Chapter 15: Humbly Asking – Cooperating with God for Victory
Principle 5: Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:6)
Step 7: We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
LEARNING POINT · 01Taking the Step of Asking: Inviting God's Power
Having cultivated readiness in Step 6 (Chapter 14), we now move to the specific action of Step 7: humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings. This isn't a passive wish; it's an active plea based on our readiness and God's promises.
It acknowledges that while we must be willing participants, the ultimate power for deep, lasting change comes from Him. This chapter explores how we cooperate with God to achieve victory over the character defects identified in our inventory.
LEARNING POINT · 02The Core Principle: The Process of Transformation
Achieving victory over deep-seated shortcomings is a process that involves our cooperation with God's power. Key elements include:
Voluntary Submission: This echoes Principle 3 but applies specifically to our character defects. We consciously offer ourselves to God, dedicated to His service and open to His transforming work (Romans 12:1-2 GNB). It's acknowledging His right to reshape us.
Identifying Specific Defects: We need clarity on what we're asking God to remove. Reviewing our inventory (Step 4) helps identify specific shortcomings, sins, or character defects causing pain or hindering growth. It’s helpful to focus on one or two primary ones at a time, asking for God's guidance on where to start (Proverbs 16:9).
Changing Our Mindset: Lasting change involves more than just behavioural modification; it requires a transformation of our thinking – a "renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This involves actively challenging the old thought patterns, beliefs and attitudes linked to the character defect, replacing them with God's truth. Applying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts, guided by the Holy Spirit, can be helpful here – identifying triggers and replacing distorted thoughts with truthful ones.
Turning Defects Over Daily: Just as we turn our will over daily (Step 3), we need to consciously turn over our character defects to God repeatedly. We acknowledge our inability to overcome them through willpower alone and rely completely on His power (James 4:10). He is faithful to strengthen and protect us (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
Embracing the Process (One Day at a Time): Victory is usually a journey, not an instant event. Change takes time, often unfolding incrementally. We focus on progress today, trusting God's timing and celebrating small victories, living "one day at a time" (Matthew 6:34 TLB). Remember God's promise to continue His work in us (Philippians 1:6 TLB).
Choosing Change Requires Humility: The core of Step 7 is humbly asking. Humility isn't humiliation; it's having a right view of ourselves in relation to God – recognising our dependence on Him. It means stop striving in our own strength and genuinely relying on His power to do what we cannot (James 4:6-8 TLB).
LEARNING POINT · 03Why It Matters: Combining Willingness with God's Power
Step 7 is where our readiness (Step 6) meets God's power. Simply being ready isn't enough; we must actively ask. Humbly asking invites God's intervention into the specific areas we've identified.
It acknowledges His sovereignty and our dependence. Cooperating with the process – submitting, renewing our minds, turning defects over daily – allows His power to work effectively. This combination of human willingness and divine power is the key to genuine, lasting victory over shortcomings that previously seemed insurmountable.