Not in my strength

Have you ever tried to change a habit, a bad character trait, or forgive someone in your own strength only to try over and over again with no success? I certainly have. I have tried to change habits or changing my character on my own. However, when God sent the fire, the truth was revealed in my character. There are some legalistic folks also that will tell you, "You just need to do it or change it", as if I could do it on my own. The Word tells us in Romans 7:13 that I desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. If the Word tells me I cannot carry it out, then God must certainly understand my weaknesses and already know that I can't bring it to pass in my own strength. It is prideful to think I can change myself and do everything in willpower or my own strength. I believe some weaknesses are there to demonstrate that we need God and are God dependent and not self-reliant. I know one habit I tried 10 years over and over to change without avail. I was exhausted from trying. I finally in desperation said, "God, I give up! This is not going to change unless you do it!" I was free 2 weeks later. Turning things over can be hard, but it is by faith and not by sight nor by works that gets God's attention. Let's turn things over today and trust the Creator to change what we cannot in our own strength. Whatever it is that you cannot change on your own, God is able.