Sunburns are not fun. I should know with as much experience as I’ve had with it. On my recent outing to the lake, I got nice and toasted. Think extra crispy.

I remember that first night was miserable. I could hardly lay down it hurt so much. I don’t think I slept much at all.

But I came home and found my old bottle of Panama Jack Green Ice. There’s nothing like some good ol’ 100% Aloe Vera Gel to soothe and treat sunburns. The bottle may be old, but it still works magic.

In my own life, I’ve notice that when I’m in the midst of pain and suffering, whether literal or figurative, my immediate cry is for relief. I want it over A-S-A-P.

But God often has a different idea in mind. He wants my transformation. He wants my renewal. He wants to grow something in me that wasn’t there before: namely, Himself.

I think it was Dan Allendar who said that as long as your cry for relief is stronger than your cry for a changed heart, you’re never gonna grow up.

That’s what I want. A changed heart. Even more than I want relief, I want a changed heart that moves from selfish to self-less, from prideful to humble, from anxious to peace-filled. I want to be more like Jesus. No matter what.