This is a quote from a book titled Changes That Heal, written by Dr. Henry Cloud.

"The Bible says that we were created 'in the image of God' . . . The apostle Paul writes that God calls us to be 'predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son' (Romans 8:29).  What he means is that our goal is to become more like him.  Our destiny is to pursue this family resemblence to God . . . All of our problems stem from our failure to reflect the image of God.  Because of Adam and Eve's fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, we have not developed the 'likeness' of God in the vital areas of our person, and we are not functioning as we were created to function.  Thus, we are in pain . . . I have identified four aspects of the personality of God . . . God is able to do four things that we, his children, have difficulty doing:

1.  Bond with others

2. Separate from others

3. Sort out issues of good and bad

4. Take charge as an adult

"Without the ability to perform these basic God-like functions, we can literally remain stuck for years, and growth and change can elude our grasp . . . Because we live in a fallen world, we have deficits in all four areas.  Transforming the effects of the fall and growing in the image of God is not an easy task."

My thoughts:  It is important to TAKE TIME in our present lives to complete our development.  The Sabbath may be a good time to set aside an hour or so to examine our lives and and take notes and learn from the wisdom of others and set goals about these things; and then try to carry them out in the week; and then re-evaluate the next Sabbath.  Taking even just that hour -- out of the middle of our duties and appointments of life -- may influence greatly who you are continuing to become.

Tags: Adulthood Change Healing Mortality Image Growth

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