God Doesn’t Just Change You—He Changes How You See

God doesn’t just change people; He changes how they see the world. They pray for people they used to envy and love those they used to avoid. This transformation is not merely an external shift in behavior but a deep, internal renewal that alters how a person perceives, interacts with, and responds to the world around them.

When God enters a person’s life, He renews their heart and mind. The apostle Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Romans, urging believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds rather than conforming to the patterns of the world. This renewal is a process of sanctification, a continual reshaping of thoughts, attitudes, and desires to align with the character of Christ.

People who once operated from a place of envy begin to see others through a new perspective. Instead of resenting someone else’s success, they start to celebrate it, recognizing that God blesses each person according to His divine will and purpose. This shift does not come naturally to the human heart, which is prone to selfish ambition and comparison. However, when a heart is surrendered to God, He removes the chains of jealousy and replaces them with gratitude and contentment.

In the natural world, envy and competition create division, leading to strained relationships and bitterness. Social status, material wealth, and personal achievements often become measures of worth, causing people to covet what others have. But when God changes a heart, the focus moves from comparison to appreciation. A person who once longed for another’s position now prays for their well-being, seeking God’s best for them rather than wishing for their downfall. This change is not about suppressing human emotions but allowing God to refine them into something holy and selfless.

This transformation extends beyond just feelings of envy. Love replaces avoidance as God opens the eyes of believers to see people as He does. In a world where divisions based on race, class, politics, and personal history are rampant, God calls His followers to love without condition. Those who were once avoided due to prejudice or past hurts become individuals worthy of grace and kindness.

Jesus exemplified this throughout His ministry, engaging with tax collectors, sinners, and the marginalized. He broke societal barriers and demonstrated that true love does not discriminate. When God changes a person, He instills this same kind of love within them. They no longer see others through the filter of past offenses or social biases but instead through the lens of grace. This change is not always immediate, but as a believer walks with God, their heart softens, and their capacity for love expands.

Loving those once avoided requires humility and a willingness to forgive. Human nature tends to hold grudges and build walls, but God’s love tears those walls down. The power of forgiveness is central to this transformation, as holding onto resentment keeps a person bound in spiritual chains. When God teaches His people to love those they once avoided, He is also teaching them the freedom that comes with releasing anger and embracing peace.

Prayer plays a significant role in this renewal. It is through prayer that hearts are softened and perspectives shifted. When a person prays for someone they once envied or avoided, their heart begins to change toward that individual. Prayer aligns a believer’s heart with God’s will, allowing them to see others through His eyes rather than through personal biases. As prayers are lifted for former rivals or estranged acquaintances, a miraculous transformation occurs. Resentment turns to compassion, and love takes root where division once existed.

The love of God is transformative, and when He changes a person, He does not simply alter their behavior; He transforms their entire worldview. Instead of striving for selfish gain, they seek ways to bless others. Instead of avoiding those who are different, they engage with a spirit of unity and kindness. The Gospel itself is a message of reconciliation, calling believers to be peacemakers in a world filled with strife.

A renewed perspective also brings a sense of peace and joy. When people are no longer consumed by envy or bitterness, they experience freedom in their hearts. Contentment grows, and they find satisfaction in what God has given them rather than longing for what belongs to someone else. They begin to appreciate the uniqueness of their own journey and trust in God’s perfect plan for their lives.

This kind of transformation is evident in the lives of those who walk closely with God. Testimonies abound of individuals who once harbored resentment but found healing through Christ. Stories of former enemies becoming friends, of broken relationships being restored, and of people finding joy in another’s success all illustrate the profound power of God’s renewing work.

The call to love those who were once avoided is also a reflection of the ultimate love shown by Jesus. On the cross, He demonstrated the greatest act of love by sacrificing Himself for all of humanity, even for those who rejected Him. This radical love is what believers are called to embody, showing grace even when it is undeserved and extending kindness to those who might never return it.

God’s transformation is a process, and it requires a continual surrender to His will. Daily prayer, immersion in Scripture, and a willingness to let go of past hurts are all essential in allowing this change to take root. A heart that is open to God’s shaping will begin to reflect His character more and more, displaying love where there was once division, and joy where there was once bitterness.

This transformation is not just an individual journey but one that has a ripple effect on the world. When people see the change in a believer’s heart, they are drawn to the source of that change. Acts of kindness, genuine prayers for others, and a spirit of unity all testify to the power of God’s work in a person’s life. The love that once seemed impossible to give becomes natural because it is fueled by a divine source.

Ultimately, when God changes a person, He does not just modify their actions; He reshapes their entire way of seeing and engaging with the world. Prayers replace jealousy, love replaces avoidance, and the heart begins to mirror the compassion of Christ. This is the beauty of divine transformation, a journey that turns bitterness into joy and division into harmony, all through the power of God’s renewing love.

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