It’s Time For A Spiritual Makeover ~ Jo Ann Fore

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Spiritual Makeover ~ By Jo Ann Fore

I’m a book-freak—not a big television fan. But I love DIY shows {those brave do-it-yourselfers simply captivate me} and HGTV has a series called The Property Brothers that is one of my favorites.

Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott come together to help folks find extreme fixer-uppers they can afford, and then transform them into the client’s ultimate dream home. Their fallback when clients arrive on the run-down property for the first time and are in absolute shock at it’s condition? You just have to be willing to look past the ugly.

Oh, the work some of these places need! It seems such a radical risk when you consider their current troubles. But after some well-thought-through decisions, and intentionally focused work, the outcome is always unbelievably positive.

If only I could consistently do that, look past what threatens to block me, look forward somehow to the positive outcome.

Remember the sparring twins Jacob and Esau from Old Testament times? Much like Jacob, I too have endured what seem to be never-ending struggles, running from family history and wrestling with God. Over the years, I’ve fought through countless “this-is-not-fair” moments.

But Jacob modeled for me how to go deeper into this pain, how to consider a different perspective. I don’t know if you remember this part in the story, but Jacob wrestled all through the night with God, his hip wrenching right out of socket. Yet, with hip twisted and trapped, numb and unable to move, Jacob still pursued God’s blessing.

I won’t let go until you bless me.

Won’t let go without the blessing. Somehow, smack in the middle of this unknown, this is where we have to land. This place of willingness to confront our pain, and consider life the other side of it. This place of God’s blessing—an understanding and belief that God is good, and somehow he can take all this ugly and make it into something beautiful as only He can do.

But do we believe God is good? Do we believe he is in control?

Well, do we?

If God is good and is sovereign, why does he sometimes allow such horrific pain, right? I’ve wrestled this one to the ground, trust me. And I’ve come to a couple conclusions that help me sleep better at night.

God is sovereign and he does have a plan. I must trust in this.
God will use the pain {the ugly of our life}—if we surrender it to him.
When life’s not working out as we had planned, it’s so easy to blame and accuse, making excuses. But if we’re willing to fight through the pain and uncover a use for it, that fresh sense of hope somehow helps the original hurt. I promise. I’m living proof.

The work it takes, it probably feels a much bigger risk than any fixer-upper you may have ever wanted to take on, I’ll give you that. But a good remodel is always worth the effort. And without the risk how will we ever experience the reward?

What are you currently facing that seems too big to take on alone? Tell us in the comments section below and allow us to pray for you?

Jo Ann Fore is a popular blogger, certified life coach, and the author of When A Woman Finds Her Voice: Overcoming Life’s Hurts & Using Your Story to Make a Difference. She loves peppermint herbal tea, a great salad, and fistfuls of chocolate. Jo Ann lives in Tennessee with her comedy-magician husband Matt, and she talks incessantly about her grandchildren to anyone who will listen. Connect with Jo Ann online at www.JoAnnFore.com.

Jo Ann Fore
The HOPE Coach
Fresh Hope for Life’s Hard Places

Author of When A Woman Finds Her Voice
Website: Write Where it Hurts
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