When it comes to thinking, focus, living the Blessed Life, and so on, the #1 question readers ask is this:
“How do I renew my mind?”
It’s an important question to answer, because we ALL need to renew our minds. The way we think. How we process information. What we expect from ourselves, others, and God. The tone in our voice, which affects people’s perception of who we are, which stems from our own self-estimation.
The quality of one’s life boils down to one fundamental issue: how do you understand things? Does love mean “like”, “abuse”, “obsession”, “sacrifice”, “loyalty”, “future abandonment”? We interpret the world from the grid of our understanding, and our interpretations are what mold and shape our lives.
Not everyone who follows a cookie-cutter solution or set of principles gets the same results. But principles are principles because they remain accurate and relevant, regardless of opinion or misinterpreted past experience.
We all know that everyone needs to read and memorize God’s Word. We know it, but we forget that it really can help transform our lives. God’s spoken word, both recorded and currently proceeding out of His mouth, is full of transforming life and power. You’ve probably heard that before, but maybe you didn’t believe it because, in your experience, that has not proven true. Well, it’s time for you to create a new experience.
I’ve put together seven steps that should work well for everyone. It’s NOT like a 12 Step program where you can go through the motions half-heartedly and see results. This requires focus, heart commitment, and dedication. There are customizations needed in each of these to fit you where you’re at in life, but this is a great starting place. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Step One: Set Aside Secular Media and Web Distractions
We forget that in order to fill our minds with thoughts of God and things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy and excellent (Philippians 4:8), we actually have to have room in our minds for those things to fit. The biggest mistake Western believers make is thinking that a little Bible reading or meditation is enough to experience having the mind of Christ.
Look at it as a matter of percentages. If 50% of your waking hours are spent digesting some form of secular media (music, Web, tv, video, photos) and 7% is devoted to Scripture and prayer, what is the atmosphere of your mind going to be like? You will resemble your mental environment. So if you are serious about renewing your mind, it’s time to set that stuff aside while you purify and dedicate yourself to renewal.
I recommend setting aside at least two months for this process. Once you’re about a month in, you’ll feel different. You’ll think different. Your desires will come from a more honest and unique place within you, compared to the conditioned responses you give when you’re senses are drowning in external stimuli. That gives you another month to observe the differences and enjoy being less cluttered.
If you’re wise, you’ll maintain a minimal focus on secular media even after your renewal period is over. Some people (myself included) have returned to gorge themselves on secular media because they are not able or willing to control themselves and maintain a mature balance. Think of it this way: Jesus isn’t looking for 10% Christians. Why would we give Him only 10% of our minds? Do we REALLY expect to fulfill the callings and purposes of our lives when we can’t get beyond thinking how the world thinks?
Step Two: Search Out Specific Parts of Scripture to Memorize
What you need most first will be unique to you the individual. Some will need to memorize the attributes of God. Some will want to begin with statements God makes about how He feels about them. Some will benefit most by starting with promises or with who God says we are.
If you’re not sure where to begin, I’m wiling to pray with you and help you determine where to start. Leave me a comment or fill out the contact form on the site with some details about your story: What’s going on, what you need / want most, etc.
Step Three: Meditate on Scripture
This is a challenge for impatient people. If you’re looking for quick and easy steps to a renewed mind, you’re going to fail. Think of it this way: you’ve been pouring media, conversations, and ideas into your mind for the past X number of years. The human brain/mind records everything experienced. Forgetfulness is not a matter of storage, but of organization and accessibility.
All those years, you’ve been filling your thoughts with unimportant data that has to be stored. Now, when it comes time to accept that your mind does not work with you to know what is true and good and holy, namely Jesus, it’s time to get real.
Your mind won’t be renewed over night. What you currently think and believe is the result of time spent absorbing and brain washing yourself to think a certain way. It might not have been intentional on your part, but by repetition and time, you’ve bathed your own thoughts in the thinking of the secular, unbelieving world.
You know how you can recite over and over again the thing you dread, and your panic grows and grows until you’re hysterical? It’s the same, but opposite, with renewal. What you once meditated on because of lust or pride has taken up residence in your house of thoughts. In order to renew your mind, you’ll have to replace those thoughts with powerful true thoughts.
Perhaps the best Scripture to meditate upon and memorize is 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Did you catch that? These are the things we are to be ever vigilantly pursuing and filtering:
- Arguments
- Pretensions
- Thoughts
- Acts of Disobedience
Step Four: Worship, Pray, Gaze
Part of renewal involves the “fruit of your lips”. We are created in the image of Almighty God, and He is the Creator. How did He create the universe? Simple. He spoke it into existence.Everything you say has creative power, because you are made in His image. Words go out like spinning tops from our lips, enabled with power and they continue on into the universe. What we speak is largely related to what we think and feel.
People are defiled or honored by the fruit of our lips. Choosing to worship and pray Scripture back to the Lord is a four thousand year old practice that has never lost its power. Start with the Psalms. Pray and sing these back to the Lord. Also, if you’ve collected Scriptures on the promises of God, remind Him of those as you pray. God is not a man that He should lie. He will fulfill what He has promised as long as we do not refuse to follow in His steps.
Gazing upon Jesus is an amazing thing we ALL need to do more. Psalm 27:4 says,
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
How do I gaze upon the beauty of the Lord?
This is a question I’ll be able to answer with greater insight and clarity over time, as I am still learning what this means as well.
Gazing upon His beauty begins with a renewed imagination. Don’t think your daydreaming and imagination are exempt from this whole process. We are not truly stewards of our thoughts until we’ve reined in our imaginations and submitted them to His Truth.
Take a few verses on a subject; His holiness, for example. Read these over and over. Read Revelation 1:12-16. Read Revelation 4. Picture your Creator seated on a throne in heaven as described. Open up your spirit to receive and just absorb the experience. This experience will become richer and richer, the more you renew your mind with Scriptures about God’s love, His beauty, and His glory. You can do this for years.
Step Five: Find a Group of Local Believers and Practice Your Gifts
No matter what you do on the inside, you’ll always feel something lacking if you don’t step outside your comfort zone and plant yourself into a healthy community. It doesn’t matter if you were invited. It doesn’t matter if you are popular. What matters is that you have a chance to engage with people who are pursuing God as earnestly as you are.
If you’re prophetic, practice giving words of wisdom and knowledge in the context of a safe environment. If you have a healing gift, pray for the sick and injured in your community. If you have the gift of helps, look for ways people need assistance. No matter your gifting, you can find a way to use it for the benefit of your local group of believers.
Step Six: Look For a Spiritual Mentor
Find someone who is more mature than you to talk with / hang out with. Someone you can learn from by just being around them. Pick someone of the same gender. Typically older too. Not a requirement, but it can feel weird at times if you’re 40 years old and being mentored by a 30 year old. That 30 year old may have been serving God faithfully for years and have a reservoir of wisdom and knowledge to share with you, but there will likely be life experiences a 30 year-old can’t identify with because he/she hasn’t lived there yet. Pray and ask God to lead you to the right person. He will.
Keep in mind that I’ve had many mentors, and not all of them lasted for very long. Some were temporary stop gaps, sent by God to help me along for a short time. I’ve been walking with an older gentleman as my mentor since December 2009. I think he’ll end up being a longer term relationship. But before him, it was two months here, three months there. No one really willing to commit to something more in depth or involved… possibly because they saw I wasn’t fully ready for that yet.
Step Seven: Be Alert. Always.
Pay attention to the thoughts and pictures in your mind. Forget everything you ever learned about fighting devils and demons. Yes, they exist. But no, they are not your biggest challenge. Your biggest challenges are what you know and what believe. You will walk in the level of power and freedom that you have the faith for.
We’re all guilty at some point of blaming God for not doing something He promised to do. We’ve all been there. Let’s not stay there. The reason we don’t see things happen that were promised is that we do not believe. We do not believe because we believe other things we see and hear more than we believe God.
A key benefit of renewing the mind is clearing out the space needed for God’s voice to no longer have challengers. When we make Him primary in time, focus, and energy, we hear and obey beyond our past ability. To walk in His promises, we must believe His Word. To believe His Word, His voice has to be more influential in our lives than any other voice.
Have A Question About Renewing Your Mind?
I can think of a dozen or more questions myself that spring out of this topic, so I’m sure some of you will have some. Feel free to drop a comment or question in the comments below. I’ll respond to each question, regardless of the quality of my answer.
Hi
I really want to renew my mind because i know it is important. I am just a bit unsure where to start. I need scripture that will help me to renew my mind because i need to believe and trust the lord for a job i am waiting for, for so long sometimes i just dont think it will show up. I dont know what to do anymore i know GOD will send it but it has been so long already that i dont know what i am doing wrong? Please i need you help.
Thank you
Melissa
It’s amazing Melissa. I myself posted a question in this forum recently and what a difference a day makes so to speak. I now realize that a relationship with Christ is not a one time event it’s gradual. The first scripture that comes to mind is Romans 12:2-And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When I tell you, I feel so much better than I did a week or so ago just because I have focussed more on my relationship with Christ. I have been watching very little TV and reading my word. Also, Creflo Dollar is a preacher you should consider paying attention to. He has gotten alot of flack, but when I say he is one of the few Preachers talking about renewing your mind, I really mean it. If you want you can look him up on youtube. The best video’s of him are under creflodollarministries page. I have been watching the series called The Covenant of Increase. All his sermons though have changed my life.
And by the way, for years a friend of mine and I would go back and forth about whether there is a forumla for getting God to move in our lives and now I am convinced that there is. We are to become justified (salvation), sanctified (renewed) and trust God to do the rest. The perfect will of God for our lives outside of a 9-5 will be revealed after we have been renewed. In all my frustration with my own situation over the years, I’ve forgotten that God sent people into my lives that exhibited just what will happen when you completely submit your will to his, these examples all have wonderful super natural experiences with God and each one of them say that it took reading their word extensively and focussing on God to get where they are today. And I myself can admit, there was a time about 10 years ago that I remember every where I looked I saw a billboard or a bumper sticker that said “Read Your Bible”, I felt the Holy Spirit saying “Study Your Bible As If You Were In School”. Don’t get me wrong I did try, but I let the cares of this word distract me. Who knows where my life would be today, if I would have obeyed that leading.
The bible says “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness and all these THINGS will be added to you”. There are so many parables and stories in the bible of God practically screaming at us all the promises he has for us, if we would just trust and obey. I feel so much better.
I pray that you will read the comments in this forum and be encouraged. I really have so much to say but that’s enough for now.
God Bless you!
Sorry for all the posts, but I forgot to mention Melissa, it is imperitive that you speak the word. That means whatever the bible says we are supposed to speak because “Whatsoever a man thinketh, so is he. Bottom line- if you say “I won’t have it”, you won’t have it. So instead of saying “I just don’t think it will show up”, you would exchange that statement with, Phillipians 4:13 – “I can do all things though Christ that strengthens me.
Basically, during your bible time, highlight scriptures that pertain to the area in your life you are seeking guidance and direction in and memorize those scriptures specifically for the time being and when doubts creep in, as they will, make sure to speak the word, also read Romans 4:17-. I am really excited for you if you put these things into practice because your life will never be the same.
Below is a link I think you really need to read and remember. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6.
I really don’t mean to come across as a know it all, but iron sharpens iron and I realize most of what I’m saying you probably already know, but during difficult times, just like all of us you can use a friendly reminder.
http://www.speakfaith.com/
Yes Daniel,
The last fast like that in particular was very difficult and it is even still difficult to think of it and not get red in the face. I am trying to let that feeling go of dissapointment and frustration because I believe my heart was pure towards God. One note though, is just because I didnt feel like anything happened, doesnt mean it didnt. I believe God would bring it to my attention, by my thoughts are so much lower than his, I can’t speculate on what really transpired during that time. God doesnt always bless us when we expect. Maybe I earned credits (so to speak) towards a blessing down the line during those fasts that I dont see now. Also, there may have been something un resolved in my life I was unaware of. So for now all I can do is trust that as I continue to renew my mind with no known and unknown sin in my life that he will work it all out. Thank you for responding to my post. I find this site very encouraging.
Plenty, plenty of material to work with here. All too often we are told to work on the renewing of our minds but not give enough practical advice on how to pursue this. You got it here! Thank you.
Hi
In your article above you said you are willing to pray with anyone who don’t know where to start by telling you some details about their story i.e what’s going on, what they need etc.
I have a lot of negative thoughts and emotions in me. A lot of fear, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, hurts etc.
I got so many issue and i start by telling you what’s happening in my mind most of the time. The thoughts and emotions that i want to change but failed. I have a bad habit of presuming people facial expression, gesture, tone of voice and the like. I can hate and dislike people whom i never talk just because of their facial expression.
I think it is my facial reflection that make them look like that. Like they just follow what they see in me. For example when they look sour as soon as they see me, it’s probably because i myself was sour.
One thing for sure is i have poor self image. Another issue i need to overcome. I grew up hating, blaming and punishing myself because of my mother constant negative, critical comments on me. I’ m still working on to forgive her whiach i have try to do since a 3 or 4 years ago.
I suspect i have Body Dismorphic Disorder because i don’t like to take photos, video and very uncomfortable with mirror or reflecting glass. I am too conscious about myself, uncomfortable with my look/personality, insecure to talk even casual normal conversation. I fear people. Always think how i look at people’s eyes.
I don’t feel ease most of the time instead i always feel tense without really knowing the reasons why. Sometime i ask myself what do i think that make me so down.
I do have a mentor whom i never meet. I just sms her and have called her a few times. I have been trying to walk with God since i sms her that is July 2005. I guess most of the time i was half hearted. I experience little breakthrough. But i do experience some emotional healing too.
I can go into more detail but i guess i stop here for now. I want to renew my mind through God’s Word coz i have try positive thinking or self help book but I know only God can truly change and transform me permanently. I want to have a new heart. I want to get rid all bitterness in me. Please pray for me..
Please reply my comment..
Thanks.
Eve, thank you for leaving your comment. That takes courage. I am praying over you now, asking the Lord for wisdom on how to proceed. I’ll reply again once I have something to share.
Eve, try starting here: http://www.kenboa.org/downloads/pdf/IdentityAffirmations2.pdf
Download that PDF. It has some a list of things God says about you. Read them, re-read them. Pray them back to God. Remind Him who He says you are. Speak to yourself. Literally address yourself and tell yourself what God says about you.
Take every thought captive. Whenever you hear a single thought that disagrees with the value and purity God sees in you, challenge it. Do not let it pass through your mind unchallenged. Speak to your soul. Tell your soul that the thought is a lie, and tell yourself out loud what God says in His Word.
Begin the process of developing new habits. First and second are meditating on truth and challenging every thought that is a lie. It may be exhausting work for a week or two. But purpose in your heart to see it through, and you’ll begin developing a pattern which becomes a new habit.
If you listen to any depressing or sad/somber music, give that a break during this time as well. That includes sad love songs, any song attached to a painful event, etc. Give yourself room to breathe fresh air.
Hi there
I was in search of something uplifting to renew my mind and came across this site. I am thankful that you not only give scriptural insight but practical approach to this issue. I have been filling my mind lately with junk that the world offers and after a while, I felt so low, like I am in a pit full of worms. Certain situations have happened that just ripped off all my peace and brought me low. I want to rise above again, and thank you, I will start by filling my mind with His promises in His Word. I will return to Him and he will heal my wounds, he will embrace me with His everlasting love. Oh, who can do that for me but only My God. Like a farther looks upon is child, he will look upon me with favour. He will restore me. God thank you for speaking to me through this site. May God bless you and your Ministry. Blessings from Papua New Guinea.
Hi Daniel, i have just downloaded the pdf. It definitely takes long and hard time for me to really absorb this TRUTH. I mean the lie in my thoughts seems so true and real to me at this moment including the emotions and reaction from people around me.
It’s so painful and i try to persevere and trust that God is with me that He is guiding me and want to heal me and set me free from this sinful self i.e sinful thoughts, emotions and attitude.
I try to be humble and it is not easy to admit that i was wrong. Refraining myself from judging people reaction of me is so painful and i make me feel helpless.
I can talk and talk and talk about my problem but that is not going to help me to get rid of it. So i stop now before i got too overwhelmed by them.
Anyway, thanks for the info. I just pray that God will give me the grace to be able to go through what i need to go through in this process.
God Bless You..
Eve, I can understand what you are going through. I also grew up in a very negative home w/my mother verbal assaulting all the time. After 35 yrs. I still have difficulty because you really have to focus on God and His ways. Spend time before Him and read His Word out loud. It helps you to hear it. Read Psalms when you are hurting. And Isaiah is very comforting. Before you do pray and ask Jesus to speak to you. He says my sheep hear my voice. You are loved by Him, you are special to Him. He will give you the grace as you continue on. It may seem hard but He will not fail you. Joyce Meyer’s book, “Battlefield of the Mind” is vey helpful in a situation like this. If you look up the title online you should be able to find it. It has helped countless, hopless people to get free. Praying for you!
I truly enjoy all the post on “How Do I Renew My Mind” feed! It was like God was talk to me about me! Thanks for sharing everyone, especially Eve, Ms. Davis and Daniel.
You are a partaker of His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4
Kindest Reagrds 😀
Firstly your message has truly blessed me today, I prayed from the depth of my spirit that God would renew my mind, I am not sure if I am asking right, all I know is I don’t want to stay in th place I am in. I have been saved for 29 years, and have walked in the power and anointing of God (it saddens me to say “have” past tense). Over a couple of years ago I felt so alone and prayed for a friend, a lady in the work place said she wanted to be friends with me because of what she saw in my life (she is of the muslim faith) so naturally I thought what an opportunity for me to show the love of Christ , and win a soul for Jesus. Well, the negatisim, and critical spirit that I chose to befriend me , I see in myself. I am not in the word of God like I once was, although I never stop reading but, I think more out of responsibility. I truly love the Lord and I want to live a life pleasing to him, He is everything to me. I need to get out of the state I am in, and sever ties with people that have a form of godliness but, dent His true power. Please pray for me, and email me on my hotmail address please ([email protected]). Thank you.
Thank you so much for this! I have been inspired and have hope in the outcome of taking practical steps to renew my mind. When I woke up this morning my mind immediately began to cling to negative thoughts about my day, my friends, and my husband. I thought to myself, “I truly have a sinful nature that I gravitate to more than Christ.” Even though I knew the thoughts were wrong I continued to allow them to fester. Finally, I got up, frustrated, and Googled “How do I renew my mind” and found this excellent article. 🙂 If I am only reading my Bible for 10 minutes in the morning and filling my mind with the world the rest of the day I cannot expect to become sanctified at a rate that will allow me to live in God’s purposes for my life or to have pure, peaceful thoughts throughout each day. Now I just need prayer for God’s grace to wholeheartedly begin taking these practical steps towards the renewing of my mind.
Thank you, again for this article!
I thank you for this site. I really want to please God and at the age of 43 I am learning that it is so important for me to do just that…..It is not how people think and feel it is about a one on one relationship with God. I know and feel in my spirit when I am doing something out of the will of God whether the world thinks so or not. Please pray with me as I seek for a miracle for my bills. I know some of my reeping is due to the terrible mistakes I have made. I know has forgiven me and I am trying to forgive myself. We are in such delicate times and I do not want to miss anything that God has for me-peace in the midst of the storms, joy unspeakable, and even with my flesh warring with my spirit I must renew my mind. Thank you for this site again and I know God is blessing you to bring this to his people. I had this site saved in my favorites and I know this is the right time to have you in my life. I am going to visit this site daily.
Zinker,
I’m glad that we connected online. I do believe that God pours out grace and mercy upon His children. I pray that God enables you through many channels to pay of your bills and establish a proactive vision moving forward. Something to build toward.
i totally agree with step 1 , I have given up my TV, radio, newspapers for a month now, I only look at websites similar to this and for bible study, and my mind is renenwing already, I spend evenings with my bible instead of TV, Sundays at church instead of the Pub,
I say I have been a Christian for almost 14 years. I have not renewed my mind and fed up with my “sin” and me. I want to get serious and do this. Just don’t know where to start but I do know that I condemn myself a lot and know that it is affecting my health. I have not ever established a set time to be with God during the day. I feel anxious and overwhelmed at just the thought of it cause I need guidance. PLEASE HELP ME!!
Thanking you now,
Frances
Hi Frances! There are many ways to begin, but I’ll offer one suggestion here.
First, I would commit to taking SEVEN days off from TV, radio, and streaming web media.
Then I would spend 30 minutes TWICE A DAY listening to podcasts, YouTube videos, or teachings each day. Ideally, these would happen when you’re not distracted, like in the car on the way to work and at bedtime when you lie down for bed.
What should you listen to? Think about what you want to overcome. The best idea, in my opinion, is to find testimonials and teachings of people who are walking in amazing abundant life in those areas you want to experience.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Todd White teachings – http://www.youtube.com/user/toddwhitevideos
Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton teachings – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bethel-church-sermon-week/id76583739?mt=2
The reason why I love listening to these people is that they are living in a reality where they see people healed every week. They are walking full of love and compassion and literally just being the love of Jesus without selling salvation or commitment. And they believe that the Kingdom of God is for now, not just Heaven. Hearing their experiences has lifted me out of my blah life at times and encouraged me to see the world and what is possible differently. I have stepped out in public and loved on people at times and found God really working through my availability.
Blessings to you in your search! I recommend you dedicate 7 days to do this without filling your mind with pop culture or news so that your reasoning and understanding have a little time to consider life from a different perspective. When you notice your spirit feeling fed, but your flesh craving entertainment, give yourself another 7 days of this approach and add in 5 minutes of Bible reading. Pick a Psalm from chapters 100-150 and read one aloud each day. Read it like you are the one who wrote it and you are declaring out in public.
Let me know how this goes.
Where would I find statements God makes about how He feels about me? I know like Jeremiah 29:11 but what would you suggest? I reeaallyy need this…! Thanks!
So fill up! There is treasure lock up in the earthen vessel! There is a king in you! GBY
Jan, I’m so glad you found me online. I’ll list a few here, and open the floor for other people to share their favorite scriptures of how God feels about you.
He cares enough about us not to abandon us – “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18
He loves us as much as the Father loves the Son – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9
He wants us to be full of joy, even complete in joy. – “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
He calls us His friend – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
“As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” (Is. 62.5b NIV)
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1.27 NIV)
“GOD is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for those who fear him.” (Psa. 103:8-13 Message)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jer. 31.3 NIV)
“GOD, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered.” (Deut. 30:3 Message)
Psa. 103.13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Cor. 1.3 NIV)
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.” (Hosea. 6.1NIV)
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Is. 57.15 NIV)
If you REALLY want to know how God feels about you, read Song of Songs (otherwise known as Song of Solomon) with the understanding that the woman represents you and the lover represents God.
Those are some great scriptures! Especially about God restoring everything you lost, having compassion, and picking up the pieces.
AMEN! Thank you very much, Daniel for reminding of these promises…sometimes it takes other believers to encourage each other along the way. Renewing our mind is a continual process, right? Have a blessed day!
Hey my name is grissell, I have made the choice to renew my mind, because I know it is the best thing for me to do. I want my relationship with God to grow and I want to do things right. But the problem that I am facing is that, looking at the Bible, I have to admmit can be a little bit overwhealming, not knowing where to start or how to start. I don’t want to slack off, or leave it aside for later, because I feel this way. that is why I am glad I found this great help of yours, I want to ask you if you could pray for me, and my need, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to show me where to begin, and if you could please also share with me, your testimony about how YOU started renewing your mind. It would be really helpful. Thank you so much.
May God bless you through the Holy Spirit in Jesus precious name. Amen.
Hi, Grissell. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I know exactly what you mean about it feeling overwhelming. I still struggle with that feeling sometimes. I don’t think God intended that to be the case. But it’s an internal belief that there’s a right place to be in every moment, and if I don’t find that right place, I’ll be out of sync. I’ll pray for you right now:
Father, show Grissell where to begin mind renewal. May a strategy, an approach, spring up inside like a word of knowledge. Give Grissell a desire to know a particular aspect of who You are, or a passion to learn her identity in Christ, or some other life-changing revelation. Lead Grissell and keep her safe, and give her the assurance that she’s on the path of pursuing You. In Your son, Jesus’ name. Amen.
I don’t know that my story is an ideal one to follow, Grissell. I started by turning off the television. I went for three or four months without watching anything but my local football team. I spent my evenings after work listening / watching podcasts from Bethel Church, Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Jack Deere, and others. I subscribed to a bunch of different podcasts and just listened or watched to several each day. I listened to testimonies of healing and miracles as much as possible, because what I really wanted was to have the faith and expectation that these other people did. Basically, I knew what I wanted most and I found teachers, pastors, evangelists, and prophets who were walking in the level of revelation I wanted. I absorbed all I could through hearing their testimonies and their confidence in God.
From there, my desire became to know how God feels about me. So I began researching passages in Scripture where God expressed emotion. It’s pretty amazing. That’s how I got started.
I am encouraged by your site. Its always wonderful to see the ways Gods revealed himself to others. it provides glimmers of hope as well as encouragement.
I am truly pressing into God to see myself as the Righteousness of God in Christ. Its interesting how I had fallen prey to mental assent in certain areas of my walk with God.
Surely I could rattle off the scripture from my head, yet I wasn’t always connecting it with my heart and always to my life circumstances.
I have been shaken to the core in every area of my life and definitely am believing that HE that began a good work in me will complete it. That HE always causes me to triumph; That I am transformed by the renewing of my mind; that the heart of stone is permanently replaced with the heart of flesh! That I see myself as HE sees me-as the righteousness of God in Christ, HIS Beloved, holy, loved and set apart for HIS plans and purposes.
God bless you. Amazing post!
I don’t mean this to come of as complaining. But I think my heart has been hardened and I am doing my best to come out of it. I have fasted and prayed for 30days at a time a few times and when I tell you I came out on the other side with no notable changes in my life, I mean just that. I was devastated.
No food, no tv, reading my word for several hours a day. On the floor pleading and crying to the Lord to speak to me. I feel like that experience caused doubt and even though I want to fast and pray, with an experience of what felt like no results has me gun shy. Any advise, don’t know how to feel.
I know God is real, but now I wonder if I fall under the category of someone who believes he’ll do it for everyone else, but will he do it for me.
Ms. Davis, it sounds like life is going much better than the first time you left a comment. All I wanted to add was that I went through a period of fasting and prayer for a specific purpose – a dire purpose – and I saw God work miraculously on my behalf.
I never fasted 30 days in a row. I didn’t have the physical stamina for that. But I fasted a day a week or a meal a day for a while. I was on my knees pleading with God. I was more desperate than I’ve ever been in continual prayer.
I don’t have any deep theological reasons why someone would fast and pray for 30 days and not get an answer or feel a release unless there’s something that they’ve ignored. I’m not saying that is a word from the Lord. Just a possibility.
If this doesn’t apply, ignore it. But I once went through a period of two years crying out to the Lord and He never answered my prayer because I had chosen to disobey His direction/leading in the past and was stubbornly expecting Him to just get over it and help me out in everything else.
I didn’t see any breakthrough until I repented of my disobedience. That’s a lesson I seem to have “learned” several times over my life.
The Lord has really been dealing with me about renewing my mind. Found this site today and it has been very helpful. I’m a news & talk radio junkie. I’ve scaled it back but I really think I’m still too obsessed with it and it does take a heavy toll.
Was wondering how can I still know what’s going on in the world yet not be consumed by it? Or should I just scrap the news, talk radio overall and just focus strictly what Christ has me to do? Thanks.
So glad I found this article. Have been a born again Christian for about 12 years now. I have struggled with depression all my adult life (I’m 52). I’m not currently medicated and don’t want to be for a couple of reasons, but mostly because of side effects. I am really torn because I believed that this was finally the season that God was going to help me renew my mind and heal my depression. But now I’m so depressed that I’m ready to give up on God. Please pray for me. Thank you.