Common human behavior and what real life change requires …

Take a brief journey with me on a short trip looking at common human behavior. As we tour, I’m going to keep both my pastor “hat” and my “clinical therapist” hat on to narrate this short stroll.

Regarding common human behavior:

– People tend to take poor care of themselves physically (exercise regularly, maintain a nutritious diet, consistently get adequate sleep, etc.) until they either begin to feel the affects of neglecting to be good stewards of their bodies, or they get sick and changes must be made to get well. Even then, sometimes they “change” only long enough to moderate symptoms.

– People tend to take poor care of themselves mentally until they are burned out, confused, disoriented, or are forced to face the consequences of poor decision-making. Even then, they may not learn from harsh lessons and repeat the same thinking that caused their troubles.

– People tend to take poor care of themselves emotionally until they are so overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, and depression that it disrupts their daily capacity to function well. Even then, some will still refuse to get help and spiral downward into a pit of despair.

– People tend to take poor care of themselves relationally by allowing themselves to lack self-awareness, other-awareness, and neglect to adequately nurture relationships until they become seriously fractured or lost. Even then, many won’t even try to reconcile but instead will look for replacements.

– People tend to take poor care of themselves spiritually until life becomes so big and difficult for them that their need for God is undeniable. Even then, some will still deny the need.

These are common human behaviors that are seen every day. In each category, there are “treatments” that can help improve or ease the symptoms …

… The unfit, unhealthy person can learn to make eating well, exercising, and getting adequate sleep a permanent lifestyle …

… A person can learn to think rationally, identify and eliminate cognitive distortions, and replace negative coping mechanisms with healthier habits …

… A person can learn skills so they can communicate effectively and can learn positive ways to nurture relationships …

… but regardless of the treatments we could get or behavioral changes we may attempt, there’s a seed of sin at the center of all our brokenness. Because of that truth, a real and lasting “fix,” a whole change of life requires having a foundation upon which the entirety of a human life can be both built and sustained.

That foundation is a person, Jesus Christ.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash,” Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27‬.

When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ so that a new life as a new creation can be built on Him:

– We receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to be “born again,” takes up residence IN us, and leads us into truth, empowering us to be new creations in Christ.

– The Holy Spirit begins a lifelong process of transforming us into the likeness of Christ, with special attention given to renewing our minds so that we think differently, like Christ!

– We begin a discipleship process where we become students of Jesus, both learning how to live life victoriously (regardless of circumstances) by following in His footsteps and being equipped to serve as ambassadors for Christ.

This is truly life changing! Or as the Apostle Paul writes, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬.

The crux of human behavior is the foundation upon which the life is built. To live a whole, healthy, and holy life, our lives must be built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Without that specific foundation, it is impossible for us as human beings to be whole, fully healthy, or holy.

Scotty