This refreeze stage is most successful when your new healthy habits are implemented in a supportive social environment. This is the difference between thriving in life verses just surviving. To give up an unhealthy lifestyle

no matter the social setting, you’ll thrive when you choose to ShinE  your Christian Cognitive consistency (actions that show your hope, trust and awe of God) in your display of Holy Spirit empowered behavior, D(ABC), both in private and public (1 Samuel 15:22, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 Peter 2:24). This continuity between spirit, soul and body* will bring you cognitive consistency and peace which is what will drive you to complete your desired change to healthy living. 

 

Learning to live with cognitive consistency is a life-long journey called sanctification (aligning your body and soul to your new "Holy" spirit) and is quiet different from the Christians’ justification process (which happens immediately with heartfelt confession and repentance--turning to Christ and away from sin). This life-long journey of sanctification is the physical transformation process; learning to practice holy and righteous behaviors so they become ingrained habits in your life. The process of sanctification naturally follows justification when you realize and appreciate your new potential in Christ and are willing* to change your A, B, C's for the Holy Spirit empowered (D x C) lifestyle that leads you to thrive, E  . (*Intentionally choosing to align with God before man; see Mark 8:35, John 12:24, Romans 8:29-30, 12:1, Galatians 5:24, Ephesians 5:1, Hebrews 12:14).

 

Changing is a naturally uncomfortable feeling, but the human resistance that blocks change is overcome by the Holy Spirit, when you let it (Appendix 1N). It's your attitude that determines the difference between thriving and surviving. Because of the power of Christ’s resurrection living in the new you, success is a guaranteed outcome of your sanctification journey (perfection is not required-though it will be reached when you are a wholly Spiritual being in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:52-58, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:21). Transitioning from justification to sanctification is a matter of when you decide to begin the physical transformation into a Christlikeness so that you prove your spiritual state while in your body, in this life. (E  - the potential for you to ShinE   - achieve eternal life now in this physical world - while you actively wait for eternal life in heaven after you die, E .)

 

The journey to transformation begins when you choose to give up your old identity and put on your new Spiritual identity - (a decision to accept/incorporate God's Holy principles into your personality because you willingly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit your thinking so you can freely express the Holy Spirit's traits into your personality

demonstrating consistency between your spirit, body and soul (Ephesians 1:13-14, Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:9,10,12, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 5:23).​ This is the attitude that spurs on behavioral change in Christians. The freedom you have in Christ is that you maintain control or the free choice to choose which habits to incorporate into your new normal. Will you decide to turn, and face the strain of learning new habits and be pulled up to Christian Cognitive consistency or will you retreat and be pushed back, into old, familiar habits that will cause friction with the new you? Your attitude towards change will determine your energy level to attack or retreat from attaining the potential that's now possible with God. 

• Read more on grieving the holy spirit in Appendix 1L; Turning a Spiritual Reality into the Physical.

• Take the self-quizzes in Section 3 (Capture your Vision) on "Pleasing or Grieving the Holy Spirit"?

 

Attitudes are generated from expectations. Apply your faith to your attitude. The more you know and believe that you will achieve what God has prepared for those who love/trust Him, the more your attitude will show hope (Romans 8:26-29, 12:1-3, 13:14). For example, think of your exit from a recovery center as entering your next phase of training, rather than thinking of it as the completion of the rehab program. This change in expectations, allows you to relax and continue to learn to shape your habits among a diversity of social groups.

 

As a Christian, you can still use you free-will to make decisions (because of your new humbled, grateful heart). You can choose what and where to practice but when you leave room for God's power in you, the Holy Spirit, to make it happen, you'll show the force of your faith (Ephesians 3:20, John 6:33, Luke 1:37, Romans 8:6-7, Psalms 44:3, Hebrews 11:32-34, Matthew 11:6, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 3:13-14). You are the vessel God uses to display His "Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, 5:7). Choosing a like-minded social group will impact you because it will encourage you to express rather than grieve the Holy Spirit of God. In a supportive environment, your practice is reinforced so you are encouraged to be resilient and confident as you experience the high's and low's of practice. Choose to endure the process as you replace your old habits for new ones, refreezing, so you can be productive and efficient in your faith (2 Peter 1:8-9). Avoid the temptation to go back to your old comfort zone (don't let your knowledge of God dissipate) but instead use your faith!  

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It takes time and a lot of practice to develop new skills/behaviors so you can make what is true in your spirit and soul also true in your physical actions. Think of the workings of the Holy Spirit as a relationship in which both parties give 100%. You do only what you can and then, because of your humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, trust God for the rest. This attitude helps you sustain change, relieve cognitive dissonance, and balance the psycho-social equation.

 

Let the force of the Holy Spirit in you pull you forward to your new normal.