Blog

by Nathan Buck

This week I had at least three deep conversations with people about fear. Specifically, I was reminding them that fear is a choice, and fear is based on our imagination of what COULD be, rather than what is. (For more on fear, read my other blog post about it by clicking here.)

When fear lives in our minds, it shuts down our ability to hope or trust. We reject logic, we reject truth, and we reject our faith when we listen to and act on fear. People literally wreck their lives, their marriages, careers, etc. all because they choose to believe and take action on what they imagined could happen.

ANY thought, perspective, or belief living in our minds can move us farther from (or closer to) God. Any thought even has the power to transform our physical bodies and redefine our life. Why? Because our mind controls our body and our spirit. So, what we think about most defines our spiritual and physical existence.

Read Romans 12:1-2. Notice what Paul encourages us to do: offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God, as an act of worship. I believe this part means we should serve God with our physical bodies, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we should discipline ourselves to keep our bodies pure and healthy - staying ready and available to God.

Then Paul says, “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). There are two very important things we need to reflect on here. The first is that what our mind dwells on defines what we become. The second is that we become aware and certain of God's will when our minds are renewed by living God's way.

As we were reminded last week, ALL things exist because of, and find fullness in, living for God (Romans 11:36). So, it only makes sense that our worship is to live our lives for God. And it makes even more sense that if we focus our minds on God's teachings, we will know and experience His purposes in and through our lives.

'Garbage in, garbage out' is a simple way to think about it. Whatever we feed our mind is what we become. And if we feed it all the media and drama from the world, then our life will emulate what we have chosen to focus on.

Whether it is fear, or values from our culture, or addictions, or political spin, or other religions, whatever we feed our mind will define us. And as we are defined by those things, it becomes impossible to follow God.

Are you struggling to know God's purpose for your life? Do you struggle with graphic or lustful thoughts? Do you struggle with depressive thoughts? Do you struggle with your body feeling unhealthy or numb?

We have a promise from God's Word that we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We become what we feed our minds. So, what trash have you been letting in that needs to go? What Truth from God's Word needs to replace the thoughts, fears, and philosophies that have shacked up in your head?

Take the time to pray, asking God to take those thoughts and images. Say to God that you renounce any permissions or connections you intentionally or accidentally gave to those thoughts, in Jesus’ name. And then ask God to lead you to Bible passages that correct and clarify your thoughts around God's goodness.

His promise is that as you do this - rejecting the worldly ways and renewing your mind - you will be transformed. Your life will look different. Maybe not perfect, and not without challenges, but better, healthier, and filled with God's purposes and plans. Ready for a change?

Take out the trash, fill your mind with God's Word, then “rinse and repeat.”

This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration.  All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved.  Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.