The opening quote came to me as I was reflecting upon one of the most often used non-scripture verses known to man…God helps those who help themselves.
I believe the above phrase to be true for the most part but there are some situations where we need more help than just from ourselves.
Sad–I received one of my least favorite types of communication the other day; a text from a friend informing me of a mutual friend who had relapsed back into his addiction disorder.
I spoke with the addict a couple of weeks ago, and he acted like he really wanted to do what he needed to do to change.
Most addicts want to change…I write from experience.
Fact–It’s one thing wanting to change; it’s another thing doing what it takes to change.
I can’t speak for all people who never seem to make the changes they know they need to make to their lives, but I can speak for addicts. Addicts try to think their way out of something they have behaved themselves into–but they fail to understand one important piece to the recovery equation–if they don’t change their thinking, nothing changes.
Paul–The apostle Paul wrote one-third of the new testament and, in my opinion, wrote the most profound words known to man about our challenges with thinking and doing the right thing.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15)
Later on in Romans, Paul notes what needs to be done to change our thinking and, in turn, our behavior.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Lesson–Notice I emphasized the word renewal in Paul’s writing.
The Greek word for the word renewing is anakainosis, and it means renovation.
The point Paul is making in Romans 12:2 is for us to be transformed, we need to renovate our minds.
Renovate is much different than simply changing.
Flashback–About thirty years ago, we decided to renovate our kitchen. After Lori and our architect created the drawings for what our new kitchen was going to look like, I was informed that the old kitchen needed to be completely demolished and reduced to its frame.
With sledgehammer and crowbar in hand, I methodically tore, smashed, and removed all the contents from our previous kitchen. All that remained was the wood frame and electrical wires.
The kitchen ended up being beautiful.
It was a work of art.
It wouldn’t have been without our efforts in totally renovating it.
More Facts–Substantial change will not take place in our lives if our thinking doesn’t change, and our thinking will not change unless we are willing to demolish and remove the old and replace it with something new, refreshing, positive, powerful, and healthy.
Something that completely renovates it…like God.
Steps
- Draft a “blueprint” of what you’d like your “transformed” life to look like.
- Make a list of thoughts that need to be removed and “demolished.”
- Remove triggers that revert you to your old thinking…people, places, and things.
- Don’t try to change your thinking on your own. God works through his people. I haven’t been sober for 33 years because I learned how to think differently on my own. It took counselors, mentors, and thousands of AA meetings for me to change my thinking.
- Spend more time with Him in prayer.
- Spend more time reading the gospels and observing Jesus’ thinking and actions.
- Spend more time reading Paul’s words in the New Testament, who knew that renewing/renovating our thoughts is a daily process.
Romans 8:5-6, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
