CHANGED THINKING

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT
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Transformation of the mind is something that I must desire. If I see no reason for changing my mind, why would I desire to do it. Even when I see the reasons for change, I must be willing to submit every thought to God and subject it to the scrutiny of His Holy Spirit and The Word (both scripture and Jesus). All of these must be in agreement. God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus are always in agreement and subject to one another. After all, we are searching for "His pleasing and perfect will". Once I know God's stance and heart I must bend my will and thought process to match His. This is not magic. This is a choice. The same way I make a choice to sin is the same way I make a choice to do right. The more right choices I make, the more God is able to show me the outcomes of my right decisions. There are also things I experience that come from outside sources, things that have shaped my responses and attitudes. Some of those responses and
attitudes are wrong. How do I change my learned behaviors? Again I choose. I choose to see what God says about me and who I am. I look at my past and see His faithfulness. Even through the worst of times, I am still loved and made whole in who God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus says that I am. If I am made to feel less than, the scripture says "I am more than a conqueror". For every negative the enemy would slam me with, God says something positive. If the enemy is a liar and God is truth, which voice should I listen to? My situation often clouds my thinking. The situation magnifies the worst of what I think and doesn't allow me to see the problem, and many times people, with clarity. My vision and thoughts are skewed because of past issues.
Lord, let me believe your truth today. Remind me who I am and what I mean to you. Change the way I think about myself and any situation I find myself in that would say different. Don't let my perception of a situation override my ability to respond in ways that you require. Your ways are higher than mine. Help me find them.

Have you allowed the Lord to shape your thoughts? When He has made it a point to clarify where you need to stand, do you bend your will to His or do you still struggle to find peace in your response to what He is asking of you?