The autopilot
Imagine riding in a speedboat on a lake with an automatic
pilot set to go east. If you decide to reverse and head
west, you have two possible ways to change the boat's
direction. One way is to grab the steering wheel and
physically force it to head in the opposite direction from
where the autopilot is programmed to go. By sheer willpower
you could overcome the autopilot, but you would feel
constant resistance. Your arms would eventually tire of the
stress, you'd let go of the steering wheel, and the boat
would instantly head back east, the way it was internally
programmed.
This is what happens when you try to change your life with
willpower: You say, "I'll force myself to eat less ...
exercise more . . . quit being disorganized and late." Yes,
willpower can produce short-term change, but it creates
constant internal stress because you haven't dealt with the
root cause. The change doesn't feel natural, so eventually
YOU give up, go off your diet, and quit exercising. You
quickly revert to your old patterns.
There is a better and easier way: Change your autopilot-the way you think. The Bible says, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." ( Rom 12:2) Your first step in spiritual growth is to start changing the way you think. Change always starts first in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. Paul said, There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes." (Eph 4:23)
Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, p. 181-182.