Breaking Free from Stubbornness
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Sep 5, 2023
- 2 min read
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. (Psalm 78:8)
The Bible doesn't mince words when it comes to the dangers of stubbornness and its impact on our relationship with God and others. I have seen people pray for their relatives, who were frustrated that their prayers weren’t answered. What you must understand is that those relatives made choices for many years before you started praying. Those choices have consequences. God had been working with them long before you prayed, and their stubbornness led to where they are now.
Can we be honest and admit we all have dealt with stubbornness in our lives? However, as believers, we must examine our hearts and confront any traces of stubbornness in our hearts. Sometimes we pray for those that we know to change, but we refuse to acknowledge the stubbornness in our own hearts.
Transformation comes through surrendering our stubbornness and embracing God's Word as our ultimate guide. God's truth has the power to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Instead of insisting on our own way, we should seek God's will and submit to His plan for our lives.
Transforming into someone who desires God’s will above our own way isn’t an overnight process. It’s not a pray one time, and it’s done concept. It requires consistent focus and an effort on our own part to be molded by God’s truth and love by reading His Word and hearing His voice.
God has patience with us in our process of becoming more like Him, and we should also have patience with others who are still dealing with the stubbornness of their heart. Speak the Word, pray on their behalf, and believe that God can change them.
Practical Application
Ask the Lord to show you areas in your life that you haven’t submitted to Him. Is it your attitude? Your work ethic? Your finances? Your relationships? Find what it is and humbly decide to refuse stubbornness and make a change.
