Think on these things...

We are told in scripture, in a variety of verses, to renew our minds. It must be important to be repeated. It also must be something we can do or we wouldn't have been told to do it. However, we also must look at renewing as a process. We are so immediacy drawn that if we don't see a change, improvement, difference immediately then we are tempted to 'throw in the towel' and quit. Much of our Christian life is a process, most of us don't have an immediate experience. It's OK in either situation. The point is renewal.

So... how do we go about renewing our mind (and yes, I have written about this and will continue to do so as I discover/experience another facet to share)? What aids us? What will get us on the right path of renewal. Process is a continuing focus, not one and done. Remember it took you (your age) time to get to (develop) the place you are in your thought life - what you typically think on and subsequently act on. You've built your frame of reference, your mindset so it isn't going to be a quick change. However, it is important and it can be done.

   "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and 
    worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, 
    whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, 
    whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, 
    if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things 
    [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The 
    things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in 
    me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the 
    source] of peace and well-being will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, AMP)

   "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your 
    minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, 
    compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not 
    the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice 
    what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. 
    Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work 
    you into his most excellent harmonies." (Philippians 4:8-9, MSG)

True, honorable, worthy of respect, right/confirmed, pure, wholesome, lovely, peace, admirable, of good repute, excellent, worthy of praise, true, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, best, beautiful, praise... that is a long list of what we can think on. I can't speak for you but when my thought life turns into a 'me-ism' party, then I'm not thinking on what I should. However, I can stop the one behavior and begin the other - it IS my decision.

If you are wondering 'why' we should change what we think on, then ask yourself if you can grow and become all the Lord has planned for you if you are only thinking about your definition of you and/or 'what's in it for me'? Why we should be thinking on that which scripture directs to is that we get out of our own box and begin seeing what is happening around us, whether or not it has a direct influence on us. Another reason is that we aren't focusing on those thoughts and attitudes that typically get us in trouble. Obviously there are other reasons to think on what Philippians is saying - it will build us up. 

Thinking on these things does help us to renew our minds, to focus our thought life and to continue to do those things that are pleasing. Bottom line always is... it is our choice, our decision. And also remember that scripture doesn't say we have to do this alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, strengthening and helping us to become all we can be. You are equipped and enabled to renew - but it takes time.