It’s easy to look at my weaknesses and think, I can’t believe how messed up I am. But then I look back at the 13-year-ago me and think, But at least I’m not as messed up as I used to be. 13 years ago I began a discipline that’s done more for my walk with God than anything I’ve ever done other than reading my Bible and prayer.
That discipline is the renewing of the mind. Today I want to take a little time to answer some frequently asked questions about the renewing of the mind. If you’re not familiar with the renewing of the mind, read this post first: How to Renew Your Mind. For more info on the renewing of the mind, look at the renewing of the mind project tab or check out my book, The Renewing of the Mind Project.
How do you know when you need to renew your mind?
Renew your mind whenever you feel the stress that corresponds to your goal. The first hint of annoyance if you’re working on anger. The tiniest urge to eat outside your boundaries if you’re working on eating. The initial reluctance to have your quiet time if you’re trying to have consistent quiet times.
How is it different than asking God for help?
Our usual strategy for goals is to go to God and say, “Help me, God!” There’s nothing wrong with that, but the purpose of the renewing of the mind is to see life from His perspective, not get Him to fix life from our perspective.
When you renew your mind–with Bible verses, truth journaling, questions, Scripture meditation, or anything else–it’s usually a time of deep fellowship with Him as you give up your own ideas about life and take on His ideas about life, willing to do whatever He asks you to do.
Why is it important to see life from His perspective?
Do you remember how Jesus said, “My burden is light”? That’s true. If we’re only concerned with doing the Father’s will, life is pretty simple.
It’s when we take on the cultural burdens that life gets difficult. Burdens like I need to be successful. I need to be skinny. I need to be perfect. I need to get the best possible life so I can be happy.
Those beliefs fuel our negative emotions and bad habits. When we take off those lies and put on the truth, we experience the fruit of the Spirit and we feel hopeful about pressing on again.
What should you expect when you go to God?
It depends on how much of a stronghold your emotion or habit is. Sometimes you’ll see a change right away. But if the habit or emotion is deeply entrenched, you probably won’t experience a lot of transformation right off the get-go. It’s kind of like tackling a huge cleaning job on one of those hoarder TV shows.
Everything is so messy in the beginning that you can clean for hours and barely make a dent. Or you make a huge dent right away, but then someone comes along (you) and messes up the house again.
If you give up early on, you’ll never see the beauty of the house. But if you persevere, eventually it will get clean. You just need to persevere, even when it seems like it’s not working.
The nice thing is that we don’t need to clean the house alone. God is with us and “cleaning” (renewing) is a project that brings us closer together as we turn to Him for insight, strength, and comfort.
Will it ever be fun?
Some of you will enjoy it right from the beginning. I did. Even though it was painful, I loved those times with God because it felt like He was right there beside me counseling me.
Others of you, though, won’t be excited about it in the beginning. It will be a dying-to-yourself experience. Especially if you don’t enjoy thinking or writing.
It’s kind of like exercise, though, for people who don’t like exercise. If you keep at it, you’ll grow to love it. You just have to persevere.
Question: How has God changed your life through the renewing of the mind?
Excellent post. We’re all messed up to one degree or another and all we can do is continue to strive toward our Father’s will. Life is really not so hard when it’s all done for Him. Great point! It’s us and our weakened flesh that struggles to grasp what humility really is…
He’s taught me to revere Him instead of fearing the world… still in the middle of that lesson.
I’m still in the middle of that lesson too, Floyd. Writing and blogging is a perfect place to learn it. :)
Barb, God has changed my life through renewing my mind many times. Sometimes even a changed perspective on things can create dramatic change. I felt that way when I realized that my belief that I “couldn’t” get my child’s obsessive TV habit under control was like saying I couldn’t stop him from playing with a knife or running out into the street. I changed the TV viewing that very day. Of course, not every problem can be changed that swiftly.
That’s a great example, Melanie. Our beliefs in parenting really do affect what we do with the kids. Now if only we could change our own habits so easily. :)
You need to use this part in marketing your next book, “a time of deep fellowship with Him as you give up your own ideas about
life and take on His ideas about life, willing to do whatever He asks
you to do”
That’s a powerful sentence, one that people can often say but they don’t really know how to do it.
I’m learning to die to self each day. Some days it’s easier than others. Some day’s it feels as if I’m walking backward, but no matter where I am, God is with me.
I used to hate exercising, but you’re right, you learn to love it. We need to learn to love God enough to let go of our ways and embrace His.
Thanks, TC. I’ve had the same experience as you with dying to self. And thanks for letting me know about that sentence – I’ll have to remember that since I have such a hard time figuring out what to write for marketing. Thanks!
Glad I could help!
Barb, God and I have been spending time together each morning for years. It has blessed me in countless ways. I really needed your words as a reminder today . . . noticing my mess ups more than usual. Thanks for this!
Glad it was helpful, Deb. I was noticing my mess-ups non-stop a few weeks ago when I was finishing up my book and trying to get it out. I was doing the self-condemnation questions right and left. This is what God kept telling me: you are not defined by what you do, but by who you are in Christ. That’s comforting.
“willing to give up your own ideas about life and take on His ideas” – This line says so much about our focus for our relationship with Him. Good stuff, Barb!
Thanks, Kari. And thanks for stopping by!
Good post. God has help me deal with my dysfunctions by renewing my mind to His directions. As I spend quality time with Him in reading His word, meditating on His word and praying, my mind is being renewed daily.
That’s great to hear, Bernard. He is helping me with the same. Thanks for stopping by.
“if you keep at it, you’ll grow to love it” – i agree! it’s very much a discipline at the beginning. but if we hang in there long enough, we’ll start to grow and eventually the ‘price’ will be nothing compared to the fruit.
Love the way you put that, Ngina – and so true.
I love your definition of renewing your mind. I don’t think I have ever heard it put like that – so succinctly. I think that I often do this instinctively as a Christian even if it’s not a formulaic process. I just come to him desperate for the truth, wanting to see things the way he sees them.
For me, it is a pleasant thing – at least now. I know that God’s way is right, and that it ultimately brings peace. Although it is challenging when I have to open up the hood and look at my own wicked heart and sin.
Interesting, Loren – I was just writing about the idea of being desperate for truth this morning in my weight loss Bible study. I think you’re right on the money with what you do to renew your mind. We can use tools – or you could call them formulas – to ease that process along – give us a structure for truth finding, but we’ll never get to the truth unless we’re actively seeking it. And we don’t need the tools to get there as long as we have the Word of God and a heart that wants to know the truth and is willing to submit to truth.
Hi Barb! Great post. I discovered your site from Bernard. I think renewing the mind is huge. What I do is journaling, and listening prayer – where I attempt to hear what God wants to show me. Thanks for this reminder because I’ve slacked lately.
I’ve never heard of the term “listening prayer” how would you define that Dave?
Hey Caleb: I first had the term when we worked with a short-term mission team from Adventures in Missions. I then saw the term in one of John Eldredge’s book. So, anyway, it’s basically this: taking out a journal or notebook, quieting your mind, and then asking God what He wants to speak to you about. So for me, I ask God to show me a Scripture, or perhaps, to give me a word, something I need to work on or a person I can pray for, etc. It’s kind of what Brother Lawrence and other great saints of old talked about – practicing the presence of God. Hope that helps.
That’s interesting, Dave. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it – will have to. I think Sara Young talked about doing that too in Jesus Calling. I do like just sitting in fellowship with God and visiting. And I love the Practicing the Presence of God book by Brother Lawrence. My goal is to be consistently in fellowship with Him throughout the day.
Amen Barb! I try to the same (although unsuccessful too often).
Renewing the mind is such a biblical and vital task for every Christian! For me renewing of the mind happens when I pull away from the computer, from my worry’s and simply take time to let God’s Word soak into my mind and heart. I always come away feeling refreshed and renewed. It’s amazing how it changes your perspective.
Yes it is – and amazing how the Bible speaks to so many issues. No matter what I’m reading, it seems like it applies to whatever situation I’m in. I really need it to keep me walking with God.
I’ve found the process of change/renewing can be difficult but the end result is something we can look forward to. It takes time, effort, and energy to renew our minds and allow God to change our life (Heart) but it’s always worth it. Great post Barb!
I agree, Dan. It can be difficult but it’s always worth it. Just like so much in life.
It sure is:)