The Bible states you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). The “you” God created is His gift to you, and as such, He has endowed each of His “fearfully and wonderfully” made creations with God-given potential. God entrusted you with His image, which grants you the capacity to have a relationship with Him. A relationship with God allows you to develop an unselfish, loving persona that honors Him as Lord by your behavior, attitude and willingness to change those things that have negatively influenced you in this world. However, to realize those enormous potentials, you must accept and appreciate His gift, then use and share it. How you use this gift is up to you. Changing the Way You Change is not necessarily advocating that you give up what you have learned to care about, but that you better manage those things you care about to His glory. “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29).

“Those who oppose Him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25). My prayer is for you to begin a life-changing conversation with God that will align you more thoroughly with His plan for the rest of your life. Changing will require you to take a candid and intimate look at “you” in a maladjusted S.E.L.F (Self-Evaluation Leading to Freedom) while maneuvering through this world. —From the Foreword

Vanessa Bridges PhD, LPC-S, has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field with a doctorate degree in Clinical Christian Counseling. She received her graduate and undergraduate degrees while living in New York City where she spent time studying abroad. Vanessa served as a program director for her hometown local mental health agency before pursuing her private practice. She is a catalyst known for her ability to go deeper within a person to make a personal difference as she counsels them on professional and personal matters.