Whatever...

   "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
    whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
    are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and 
    if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things 
    which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and
    the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NKJV)

Personally, this is my focus for myself. To put away, remove, cast off all those self-defeating, counter-productive, but undoubtedly self-serving thoughts and behavior and to renew my mind by thinking on these two verses in Philippians. Not easy. This is truly an attitude, an act, a mindset that has to be purposed and cultivated. You don't just wake up one morning and decide this is what you want and presto... it's what you have. If only.........

Renewing our mind is one of those 'suggestions' that is life changing. Renewal is not a simple suggestion but if we are asked to do anything by the Lord in scripture... then it is always something we can do. But what is this, what does it mean, how do we go about doing this? I believe that there are as many articles written on this subject as probably any other simply because of the tremendous influence it has on us, who we are, and what we do.

There was an article in UnlockingtheBible.org by Judy Allen in which she suggested that there were 5 critical (my word) steps in this process. 1- Ask the Lord to guard and direct your mind, 2- Recognize the source of self-focused and self-defeating thoughts, 3- Replace self-focused thinking with a God-focused mindset, 4- Rest in the truth that you are accepted in Jesus Christ, and 5- Repeat steps 1-4 daily. All of these steps are included in a successful transition into a renewed mind. I'm not going to repeat her thinking because you can go to the site to read for yourself.

What I would like to emphasize, though, is step 5. It is a daily walk. It is fraught with temptations and seductions... seemingly around every corner to woo you away from a purposed approach to renewal. To tell you that it is simple or easy is ludicrous. It isn't. BUT... it is the best path. And it is something we can do. When we allow scripture to lead us, we are on a firm path and one scripture that I have in front of my eyes is:

   "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
    faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with 
    the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be 
    able to endure it." (1Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Absolutely nowhere does it say we will have an easier life when we make Jesus our Lord, it doesn't say that it will be a bed of roses. Actually, it says that we will endure trials and tribulations... but it also says we are more than conquerors. It tells us that Jesus has overcome. It says that He will always be with us. It says that He will send the Comforter to be with us. We are never alone. And we can renew!