A man named Gideon encountered the supernatural God. He listened and obeyed and changed history with trumpets and torches. You can read his story in Judges chapter 7. Here’s what Gideon’s bold and courageous example says to me.

Break out of the jar of routine religion. (2 Timothy 3:5) Smash the dark shell of guilt (Matthew 3:2) that hides and quenches (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the bright torch of Christ’s light burning inside you. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7) Blow the trumpet of repentance by confessing your sins to one another, (James 5:16) forgiving one another, (Ephesians 4:32) and openly praying laying hands (Mark 16:18) on and praying over one another. (Ephesians 6:18) Literally “Shout unto God with a voice of triumph.” (Psalm 47:1)

Discontinue guilt-producing thoughts and behaviors. (John 8:11) Consistently resist them (James 4:7) until you learn to stop them in their tracks. (John 5:14) Replace them with the joy (Philippians 4:4) and profound inner peace (Philippians 4:7) of being forgiven. (Luke 7:48) Continually contemplate, cultivate, and embrace uplifting ideas, words, and behaviors. (Colossians 3:2) Grow them until they fill your life with beauty inside and out. (2 Corinthians 5:17)