Life is pain, your highness. Anyone who says differently is selling you something. — Wesley, The Princess Bride

I once read through a magazine that was profiling “The 50 Most Influential Christians in the World” or something like that. George W. Bush was on the cover. I was curious and flipped through it to see if my parents made the list. I got all the way to number 50 and instead of seeing my father or mother, I saw… Dr. Phil!

I was incensed at the injustice of it all! I even went to lunch with a pastor friend and complained about how Dr. Phil was all flesh-based in his advice, etc. Then my friend quietly informed me that his dad led Dr. Phil to the Lord almost thirty years ago.

Bam. At that moment, I pretty much heard the Spirit say to me, “Look at the poison coming out of your mouth, Pete. That’s not who you are.”

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Our minds and bodies need renewing. Lots of renewing. So much, in fact, that it takes us our entire lives. No one gets to the point of total perfection while on earth, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling you something.

And yet, that needn’t be discouraging. What a wonderful thought, that Christ loves us enough to give us the Holy Spirit to teach and lead us as we grow! We are already saints, perfect and holy in our spirit before God. Now we need to simply allow God to live up to what we have already attained in Christ in our souls and bodies!

I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. God is ready to live through you in a way that is a natural extension of who He has made you to be in Christ. Will you give Him permission to do so?