A time comes when we all need God’s renewal—a change in identity, a better way to love people.
Sometimes it comes with a change in scenery. Other times it’s a simple shift inside. Most of the time we don’t know what we need—we just know we need something.
But no matter what we’re looking for, when we ask for something in Jesus’ name, He gives it to us.
When I asked the Lord to heal me, He led me through a process that freed me from old burdens, gave me new passion for life, and brought me peace, so I thought I’d share it with you.
Here are 3 ways that God renews your heart.
The 3 Ways
Here’s how God renews your heart:
- He has you spend quality time with Him
- He reignites your creativity
- He helps you explore love
Quality Time with the Lord
You can spend time with God in a variety of ways. All you have to do is ask in prayer, and God will make a way.
I started by asking for peace, which led to us spending time outside. Sometimes we went for walks around the neighborhood. Other times we would have a spontaneous trip or spend the evening at a restaurant I’d been eyeing.
Each day was full of delight: funny moments shared with neighbors, exciting days and new characters, peaceful nights spent in His presence. And they all came by His hand. I didn’t have to plan a thing.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19, NIV
Every outing adds to the rebuilding of your foundation. God gives you safety and comfort in your home, community, and play. And when you see that He’s constantly showering you with love, disappointment, bitterness, and even anger are replaced with joy.
A Creative Reset
While spending time with you, God reignites your creativity.
He reignited mine through fashion. I had always admired it, but I hadn’t created my own outfits out of fear. On my walks with the Lord, however, I couldn’t help but notice all the different styles and the boldness with which they were worn.
It inspired me to put my own ideas into action. In one day, God helped me face the fear of being perceived and imposter syndrome. And as time progressed, my old thoughts melted away, and were replaced by a desire to explore my new passion.
When we follow God’s lead, no matter what form our creativity comes in, He helps us become strong, courageous, and ready to learn. In there, there is no room for old pain.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7, NIV
From Hobbies to Leadership
The other day, I was thinking about how God always gives us the perfect interests. By His grace, our hobbies just make sense. They give us healthy ways to express our emotions and teach us about creation.
While I was thinking about that, David came to mind. He was the King of Israel, God’s anointed—and the Psalms he wrote were just as important as the kingdom he ruled.
Our hobbies are important too. While He is renewing our hearts, God makes use of the past we’re shedding. Since it’s no longer part of our lives, it becomes wisdom.
And in the same way that David’s Psalms help people, our works can help people too.
The Love of the Father
The third piece of the puzzle comes after your relationship with God is secure.
When you are reliant on God and full of love for your home, community, and interests, it’s time to go to the secret place and explore your heart.
We explore our hearts by learning how to be more like Jesus, and learning what relationships mean to God.
I would pull out my journal and write to God about everything: what embarrassed me, what hurt me, and what I was hoping for.
As you talk to God, He heals you. He gives you clarity about past relationships and supports you to trust someone new. You see how much you change as you write down your thoughts, and you get closer to God as you tell Him how you truly feel.
To seal these changes, opportunities to be more like Jesus appear every day—moments to help the elderly or poor, be a shoulder to cry on, or even to forgive someone.
After a while, the ache from your past is gone. Instead you’ve made peace with it, and voilà:
Your heart is renewed!
Prayer Tips
- To spend more time with God: Simply pray and ask Him to hang out with you. God knows how busy our schedules are and what our lives demand. Yet when we ask Him to make time for us to rest, He does exactly that.
Ask Him to set a date for you. You’ll learn first: how there is free time where there seems like none; and second: how to go with the flow of the Holy Spirit. - To be healed through your creativity: Ask God for a creative way to get closer to Him. I love the feeling of stepping back from something and being satisfied. It makes me feel like I’ve tapped into the first thing we learn in the Bible: that God looked at His work and saw that it was good.
Ask Him to teach you about Himself through a hobby, old or new, and see what wisdom He gives you. - To learn more about love: Ask God for the relationship you desire, and ask Him to make you ready for it. No one is perfect, but all of us are loved. The Father who gave His Son for the world is the same Father who will bless you with the relationships you need, and He’ll prepare you for them in advance.
Ask the Lord for your heart’s desire. You’ll have fun as He shows you what He loves about you and helps you move forward!
Summary
God renews our hearts in the 3 following ways:
- He spends time with us
- He reignites our creativity
- He teaches us about what love means to Him
All you have to do to be renewed is ask.
Thanks for Reading
Which step does the Lord have you on? Share it with us in the comments!
And remember, the greatest love story is the one about you and Him.
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