Anyone ready for some rehab? I love makeovers, don’t you? Although they are fraught with hard work, the result is always worth it. We get to witness a transformation that is pleasant to the eye and tantalizing to the senses. Our mouths drop, and our hearts flutter upon the wings of beauty.

Although it is often quipped that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, our beholder is on a totally different level. Our beholder is peering on the inside of our house, not the outside (1 Samuel 16:7). He is the divine stylist intent on crafting us into the unique masterpiece He envisioned before time began. Before the hard lines of life drew a different picture.

I’ve lived in the same house for fifteen years, and given our family situation of being a single-mom home with limited funds, I haven’t had the money to spend on upgrades or improvements. I’ve taken care of the majors but not the minors, and it’s starting to show.

Some days I feel the same about my “soul” house. With extra time being a scarce commodity, and my reservoir of energy hovering mostly on empty, I am forced to deal with the biggies because if I don’t our ship will sink. But it’s the smaller issues, when left unattended over time, create a problem in need of addressing.

The last few weeks of my life have been pretty rough. I’ve noticed a funny pattern over the years that when this happens, and life feels out of control, I tend to clean out physical closets. It’s a knee-jerk reaction. I channel my inner organizer hoping this will fix me somehow. Weird but true. I think it’s an effort to gain control and order over the physical chaos when my internal closets—emotions, thoughts, habits—feel chaotic and out of control.

Even so, this is a flag for me. I’ve learned to accept this as an invitation into the inner sanctuary of my soul. Where work in His workshop can be done. This work is focused on attaining a level of faith fitness. Stretching my capacity for love, toning my relational muscles, developing emotional endurance, and expanding my capacity for resilience.

Because God is not shy about pointing out things that need attention, I’ve learned to take this as a challenge, to heed His instruction. I consider my life a project and a journey. A classroom and a laboratory. And I love to help others do the same. There is beautiful freedom that is only possible when we participate in this life improvement project.

To be clear, we are not talking about tearing down kitchen walls or replacing light fixtures or building outside fire pits. We are talking about rehabbing our internal houses. The ones we walk around in every day. Where our thoughts linger, our motivations act out, and our habits harm us in ways we wish they wouldn’t.

With this as our blueprint, I thought we’d entertain this as a summer project for July. For the next four weeks will you join me and dive into some soul renovation? Cleaning up habits, attitudes, relationships, and even some faith-based beliefs that have set the course for our internal GPS.

How about it? Are you ready to join me on this journey? Ready for some renovation, restoration, beautification?

First things first, in any well-designed renovation, a good home inspection is in order. Guess who will be our resident inspector? You got it…the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that He is our counselor (John 16: 5-15) and part of His commission is to help us transform into a more veritable image of Christ.

Our scripture verse this week testifies to this process of growth. 2 Corinthians 3:18; “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

For this month, in the spirit of wellness, let’s commit to the pursuit of betterment. Betterment of our internal houses with the first action step being a whole-hearted reality check. I realize this is difficult for most, but completely necessary if we want to do good work. Work that will last. Kingdom work.

Our reality check will begin with an authentic and honest home inspection. Take some time this week to walk through your internal house, one room at a time. Let the Spirit speak to you. Take note of problem areas and yield to His recommendations. This step is paramount to a successful renovation.

In the following weeks of July, we will take a deep dive into the areas of our thoughts and beliefs, attitudes, habits, and relationships. We will explore what God has to say about those closets of our soul and how to apply His truth. In the process, we will learn to allow Him access to those areas that have been neglected and in need of repair.

Deep breath. You can do this. Start by picturing a newer and better house. One that not only reveals the beauty of Christ in you, but feels safer, more secure, and exudes a glory uniquely styled by the Divine.

Reflect and Respond:

When you think of your life, and all that makes you who you are today—beliefs, experiences, attitudes, habits—what is it that needs some rehab? What area’s have been neglected in your house?

Rehabbing the areas of our life will include some dreaming, designing, planning, negotiating, demoing, rebuilding, decorating, and celebrating. If your life, your heart, your mind, or your soul is in disrepair, dive into this project. God is calling you into His workshop.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and get ready for some lasting life rehab.