Transforming Identity: The Key to Lasting Change

"transformation is habit formation and this is incredibly important what we want to talk about today is really the reason why if you've ever formed a New Year's resolution and had it not work if you've ever set a goal and then had it fall by the side of the way why does that happen so often it has to do with why we pursue what we pursue and how we do it from the deepest part of ourselves and do that together with God" [00:46:50]

"there's a third layer and it's the deepest one and that is changing your identity this level is concerned with changing your beliefs that is your world view the way that you understand life reality faith your own image your judgment about yourselves and others most of the beliefs assumptions and biases that we hold are associated with this level outcomes are about what you get processes are about what you do identity is about what you believe" [02:11:06]

"the problem that most of us have clear says is we start at the level of outcome I'd like to write a book I'd like to lose weight I'd like to win a championship I'd like to change the way that I either so we start with that one we say here's my goal um and then hope that it will trickle into who we are rather than starting with our sense of identity and saying this is who I am and this is the way that somebody who is this kind of person lives their life" [03:08:18]

"James Clear goes on to write about this true Behavior change is identity change you might start with a habit because of motivation but the only reason that you'll stick with one is it becomes part of your identity so in other words the goal is not to read a book it is to become a reader you become a reader then you will read we talk a lot about being a lifetime learner when I truly identify with that then I'll I'll read" [05:06:11]

"the goal is not to run a marathon the goal is to become a runner the goal is not to learn and instrument the goal is to become a musician your behaviors are usually a reflection of your identity what you do is an indication of the type of person you believe that you are and that works both ways negatively it could be I'm terrible with directions I'm not a morning person I'm bad at remembering people's names I'm always late to things" [05:38:41]

"he says put off Therefore your Earthly major now what is the Earthly nature he's not just talking about the planet Earth's a good thing it's part of God's creation Earthly nature is simply another way of talking about the habits that get inside you that are opposed to God and his will and he talks about sexual immorality impurity lust evil desires greed which is idolatry arms uh anger rage malice slander filthy language don't lie to one another this is all in Colossians 3 for you have put off the old self with its practices" [06:30:54]

"what does that mean it means I no longer assume my identity is one who do these things I'm a bitter person I'm a resentful person I'm a greedy person I no longer identify with that and I seek to be liberated from those habits and you have put on the new self which is being renewed in the knowledge of the image of its creator therefore as God's people Chosen and dearly loved you know that's my new identity I'm God's son I'm God's daughter I really am this is the day the Lord has made" [07:08:31]

"clothe yourself with compassion kindness humility gentleness patience bear with one another forgiving each other whatever grievances you have as Christ forgave you over all these virtues see this is the cultivation of habits now because I'm going into that kind of identity" [07:44:22]

"every time you write a page habits are the path to changing your identity when you write a page you're a writer when you practice the violin you're a musician when you start a workout you're an athlete when you encourage your employers you're a leader each habit not only gets results but teaches you something far more important and ultimately I would say you and I would say that is to trust not just ourselves and what we can do but to trust God and to trust his power in our life" [08:08:16]

"and that he's actually at work in us to help us become the person that he wants us to be so there's a simple two-step process one decide the person you want to become get really really clear on um who is that person because the main thing God gets out of my life is the person that I become and then demonstrated prove it live it out through small wins and the key is small" [08:46:29]

"so today this is not about goals or New Year's resolutions not about how much weight do you want to lose or how to clean up that desk or what it is about becoming a certain kind of person because then I embrace the process that's what gives me the power and patience to settle for small wins I don't have to get everything done at once because this is not about achieving a static goal which is never it this is about becoming a certain kind of person who Embraces a certain kind of life and whose enters into systems and processes that will bring about change over the Long Haul" [09:56:82]

"who do I want to become take a moment now to think about that word of those words encourage her peaceful person steadfast others centered who do I want to become what is a small wind that can help me move in that direction today and above all of these put on love" [10:30:12]