god medias IT IS TIME TO OPEN UP FOR GOD TO WORK ON YOU – Apostle Joshua Selman
There comes a time in every believer’s life when we need to stop running from the areas God wants to change and start allowing Him to work in us.
Many of us want God to change our situation. We pray for a better job, financial breakthrough, healing, a good marriage, ministry growth and open doors. These prayers are important. But there is another prayer that can completely change our lives:
“Lord, work on me.”
God is not only interested in what happens around us. He is also interested in what is happening inside us.
In teachings associated with Apostle Joshua Selman, spiritual growth is often connected with allowing God to transform our character, thinking, understanding and spiritual capacity. Sometimes the greatest work God wants to do is not to change our environment first, but to change the person standing in that environment.
What Does It Mean to Open Up to God?
Opening up to God means becoming honest and willing before Him.
It means saying:
“Lord, show me what needs to change in my life, and give me the grace to change.”
We cannot hide anything from God.
Psalm 139:23-24 says:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
This is a powerful prayer.
It is easy to ask God to search other people. It is much harder to ask Him to search us.
We may quickly notice the mistakes of our family members, friends, church members or colleagues. But spiritual maturity begins when we allow God to examine our own hearts.
1. Stop Pretending That Everything Is Fine
One of the first steps towards transformation is honesty.
Sometimes we hide our struggles because we are afraid of what people will think.
We may look strong outside while struggling inside.
Perhaps you are dealing with:
Anger that you cannot control.
Jealousy when someone else succeeds.
Fear about your future.
Difficulty forgiving someone.
Pride that prevents you from receiving correction.
Secret habits you know are not pleasing to God.
A lack of consistency in prayer and Bible reading.
Unhealthy relationships.
Unbelief because of past disappointments.
You do not have to pretend before God.
He already knows.
Instead of saying, “Lord, I am perfectly fine,” learn to say, “Lord, I need Your help.”
That simple honesty can become the beginning of transformation.
2. Allow God to Show You What Needs to Change
Sometimes we pray:
“God, change me.”
But we do not want God to show us what needs changing.
God may use His Word, the Holy Spirit, wise counsel, correction or even difficult circumstances to reveal areas of our lives that need attention.
Hebrews 4:12 teaches that the Word of God is powerful and able to reveal the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When you read the Bible, do not only read it to find promises.
Also allow the Word to correct you.
Ask:
What is God teaching me through this verse?
Is there something in my life that needs to change?
Is my attitude pleasing to God?
Am I treating people according to God’s Word?
Is there an area where I am refusing to obey God?
These questions can lead to genuine spiritual growth.
3. Do Not Resist God’s Process
Growth is a process.
A seed does not become a tree overnight. In the same way, God may take time to develop certain qualities in us.
Sometimes God allows us to go through situations that teach us patience, humility, wisdom and dependence on Him.
Romans 5:3-4 teaches that suffering can produce perseverance, character and hope.
This does not mean every difficult situation is directly caused by God.
It means that God can use difficult seasons to develop us.
You may look at your life and wonder, “Why is this taking so long?”
Perhaps there is something God is developing in you during the waiting season.
Do not waste the season by only asking when it will end.
Ask God:
“What are You teaching me through this?”
4. Be Willing to Receive Correction
Nobody likes correction all the time.
But correction can protect us from making the same mistake repeatedly.
Proverbs 12:1 says:
“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
A person who wants to grow must become teachable.
God may use:
Parents.
Pastors.
Spiritual leaders.
Mature believers.
Friends.
God’s Word.
Personal experiences.
This does not mean accepting every opinion from everyone.
We should always compare advice with Scripture and seek wisdom.
But when genuine correction comes, do not immediately become defensive.
Sometimes the person correcting us may be showing us something we could not see about ourselves.
5. Let God Work on Your Character
Many people want spiritual power, but character is equally important.
Character is revealed by how we behave when nobody is watching.
It can be seen in:
How we treat people who cannot help us.
How we respond when we are angry.
How we handle money.
How we behave when we are successful.
How we respond when someone else receives recognition.
Whether we keep our word.
Whether we forgive.
Whether we remain faithful when nobody is praising us.
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These qualities should become increasingly visible in the life of a believer.
6. Do Not Only Ask God to Change Your Circumstances
Imagine someone praying for a promotion while refusing to improve their skills.
Or someone praying for a peaceful marriage while refusing to learn how to communicate and forgive.
Or someone asking God to use them greatly while refusing correction.
Sometimes we ask God to change our circumstances when He is first trying to change us.
Ask yourself:
“If God gives me what I am praying for today, am I prepared to handle it?”
This is an important question.
A blessing without the character to manage it can become a burden.
God may be preparing you before He gives you the thing you have been praying for.
7. Surrender Your Plans to God
Opening up to God also means surrendering our plans.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
We naturally want life to happen according to our plans.
But God’s understanding is greater than ours.
You can tell God what you desire while still saying:
“Lord, let Your will be done in my life.”
Surrender is not weakness.
It is an expression of trust.
8. Spend Time With God
You cannot expect deep transformation without spending time with God.
Make time for:
Prayer.
Bible reading.
Worship.
Meditation on God’s Word.
Fellowship with mature believers.
Quiet reflection.
You do not need to begin with a complicated routine.
Start small.
Read a chapter of Scripture. Spend a few minutes in prayer. Think about what you have read. Ask God to help you apply it.
Consistency is more important than trying to do everything for one day and stopping after a week.
9. Let God Heal the Areas You Keep Hiding
Some people have experienced rejection, disappointment, betrayal or painful experiences.
Instead of bringing these wounds to God, they build walls around their hearts.
But hidden pain can influence the way we think and behave.
Tell God honestly:
“Lord, this part of my life still hurts. Help me.”
Forgiveness may take a process.
Healing may take time.
But opening the door to God is an important beginning.
Do not allow yesterday’s pain to control tomorrow’s decisions.
A Simple Prayer for Transformation
“Heavenly Father, I open my heart to You. Search me and show me the areas of my life that need to change. Give me humility to receive correction, wisdom to understand Your Word and grace to obey You. Work on my character, my thoughts, my attitudes and my desires. Heal the areas of my heart that are wounded. Help me become the person You have called me to be. I surrender my plans, my fears and my future into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Final Encouragement
God wants to bless us, but He also wants to build us.
He wants to develop our character, strengthen our faith, renew our minds and make us useful for His purpose.
So perhaps today is the right time to stop asking only:
“God, when will You change my situation?”
And begin asking:
“God, what are You trying to change in me?”
That prayer may take you into a deeper journey with God.
Open your heart.
Let His Word correct you.
Let His Spirit guide you.
Let wise people speak into your life.
Let God deal with the areas you have been hiding.
And remember, transformation is usually a process, not an instant event.
If this message has blessed you, search for more Bible verses about spiritual growth, surrender, transformation, character, obedience and renewing the mind. Study related teachings and compare everything with the Word of God.
The more we allow God to work in us, the more prepared we become for what He wants to do through us.
It is time to open up and let God work on you.
Key Takeaways
- Opening up to God involves honesty and a willingness to change, as He seeks to work within us.
- Spiritual growth begins when we allow God to examine our hearts and reveal areas that need transformation.
- We should embrace God’s process of growth, receiving correction, and developing our character over time.
- Surrendering our plans to God shows trust and allows Him to guide our lives according to His wisdom.
- Investing time in prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship supports our transformation and deepens our relationship with God.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
