By renewing our mind

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

As we are meditating this month about emotions, it is very important to understand that God has created mankind in His image… with emotions like joy, sorrow and anger. Nevertheless I sometimes hear people say that anger is not from God! And then they do their utmost ‘to swallow’ their anger. But the Bible does not say that anger is not from God. When we become angry about injustice, it can be a positive thing. It is how we handle our anger and what choices we make to deal with anger, that’s so important!
When we believe in God it is His plan we will be conformed in the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). That involves a learning process that will take a lifetime and especially in this time it is so important how we live. Emotions are very important, but we cannot merely live on our emotions, we need to make conscious choices in life.

The society in which we live can be confusing. Every day we are overwhelmed by the news, by all kind of situations and opinions and people often link truth with emotions: ‘it feels good, so it must be true!’ But is it the truth? Is what you feel always the best basis?

God created us with emotions, but so often in the brokenness of mankind we are swayed back and forth. Something can feel right one day, but totally wrong the next day. That is why it is crucial to know the Word of God, to have a solid foundation and to be rooted and built up in Jesus Christ (see Col. 2:6-7). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In the above Scripture Paul says that we need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. But how?

The Bible clearly states that we have a spirit, soul and a body. Our soul consists of our mind, our emotions and our will. The moment we come to faith in God our spirit is made alive by the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Through Him we are accepted by God and by His Spirit we can say: ‘Abba Father.’ That is our new identity and so important to let that sink in our whole being. God loves us. We are precious in His eyes! And the Holy Spirit will help us to be transformed in the image of God’s Son. We will never be able to change in our own strength. It is good to realize that we need the Spirit, because the apostle Paul says: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5).

Our soul

This transforming process primarily comes to pass in our soul:
Transforming our mind:
It could well be that we accepted lies while growing up… lies about God, about ourselves or other people. Lies we need to turn away from. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you whether you are harboring lies in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth in your life. Maybe this will not happen immediately, but He will make it clear in God’s time, so you can embrace God’s truth.
Transforming the wounds in our emotions:
Meditate on what God’s Word is saying about emotions. We can learn a lot by reading the letters of Paul and other apostles, but Christian books can be helpful too. I can recommend ‘Battlefield of the Mind’ by Joyce Meyer, and there are more that can be helpful. I said this before, but it is so important to realize that emotions are a gift from God: joy, sorrow, anger and more… but because of the brokenness of our existence we are often wounded and our emotions out of balance. God can heal us. It takes too far to explain this in detail in this blog but whether it is anger, hate, or bitterness, sorrow, mourning, fear, anxiety, worry, loneliness, cynicism… you name it, all kind of issues that are not dealt with and may stem from trauma in the past and why you find it difficult to trust God or other people. I really want to encourage you: God knows every detail, He knows you inside out. He can heal you and He promised to never leave you or forsake you!
Transforming our will:
God created us with free will. He gives His Holy Spirit to help us. Do you allow Him to let His light shine in the dark corners of your soul? Do you long for the renewing of your mind? Then I want to pray for you:

‘Father, thank You that You love us and that You have a good plan for our life. Father I pray that You will touch the women who are reading these words that I am writing. They need Your help and Your love. Holy Spirit restore them, convince them Lord, that You really see them, reveal Your love to them and let them experience that You are trustworthy. Show them Your wonderful and perfect plan
for their life Lord. Amen.

Read also: When your mind is taking it’s own way