By Liz Mierzejewski

“I’ll never be good enough.”

“I wish I could just stop this bad habit.”

“God loves me just the way I am, so I don’t need to change.”

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Even the most confident among us has struggled with doubt, frustration, and inevitability. We cannot avoid change; it happens whether we agree to it or not. And being willing and open to addressing those changes with purposeful changes of our own can and will make our path more meaningful and satisfying.

So, from where do we take our beats for how to change, and what to change? There’s more self-help books, videos and podcasts now about self-improvement than could possibly be numbered, both secular and Christian. Wise words can be found under both umbrellas, so the practices of discernment and moderation (good changes all by themselves!) can help us make those choices. Good on you for being present for the opportunity!

When considering what a person might want to change about themselves, a godly perspective shifts the focus from self-driven desires to His transformative purpose. Secular culture often emphasizes personal change through self-improvement trends—think fitness goals, productivity hacks, or mindfulness practices. While these pursuits can be valuable, they frequently center on external achievements or self-defined ideals of success, which may not align with the biblical imperative of change that prioritizes spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will. (Although they certainly can.)

Paul addresses how the desire for change begins with recognizing our need for God’s transformative power. In Romans 12:2 he writes, “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.” Paul is clear that true change isn’t about conforming to societal standards but about a deep, internal renewal that aligns our thoughts and actions with God’s purpose. Secular ideas often focus on surface-level fixes—like improving self-esteem through affirmations—but the Bible calls for a heart-level transformation that only God can orchestrate. I mean, next level, right? The loving scrutiny of God holds great expectations of discipline, true love for God, and taking your own life as seriously as God does.

One common secular goal is the pursuit of personal happiness through material success or self-fulfillment. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be happy, this focus can lead to a self-centered approach to change, where the goal is to feel good rather than to be good in God’s eyes. Galatians 5:22-23 offers a different standard: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These qualities reflect what God wants to cultivate in us. A Christian seeking change might ask, “How can I grow in love or patience?” rather than “How can I achieve more for myself?” The secular mindset often misses this, prioritizing personal gain over spiritual fruit.

These world view perspectives also diverge in addressing flaws like anger or pride. Secular self-help might suggest managing anger through techniques like deep breathing or journaling, which can be helpful but often stop at behavior modification. The Bible, however, calls for a deeper change. Ephesians 4:31-32 urges, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” God’s desire isn’t just to manage our sin but to remove it entirely, replacing it with virtues like kindness and forgiveness that reflect Christ’s character.

Ultimately, our approach to change is rooted in surrender to God’s will, not in self-reliance. While secular culture often champions autonomy—“You can be whoever you want to be”—the Bible teaches that true transformation comes through dependence on God. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This promise reminds us that God is the author of lasting change, reshaping us into who He created us to be, far beyond what secular methods can achieve.

New Creation. That sounds pretty good.