Explore what renewing your mind is, the impact it can have on your life, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Early in the throes of motherhood I found myself in quite a low place. Was it post-partum hormones? lost identity? lack of focus and purpose? all of the above? I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was largely my negative thinking causing my negative reality.
Romans 12:2 teaches “Do not be conformed to the patterns 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” (emphasis mine).
In its simplest form, the word renew means to make new again. You see, in most areas of our life, we’ve been conditioned to think the way the world does about our circumstances, instead of the way God does. However, God is calling us to make our minds new again by thinking his thoughts.
The Impact of Renewing Your Mind
I remember early in my Christian walk being incredibly hungry for the Word of God. I literally could not get enough of it and would listen to audio teachings during every opportunity. As I began to learn about what God had to say about my future, health, family, finances, and so much more, I was filled with hope and began to have a much more positive outlook. Any area of my life that was touched by the Word of God was positively impacted, and this continues to be true today.
I quickly started to see positive changes in my marriage, my relationships with my kids, my outlook on my future and my role as a mother and homemaker. Even my home was impacted by the changes that were happening through renewing my mind. It was truly incredible. God was showing me that it wasn’t the people in my life or my circumstances that needed to change, but me.
I believe this is true for you too. You see, there was nothing that changed in my external circumstances. My testimony, in it’s simplest form, is nothing has changed yet everything has changed. My husband is still the same, my kids, while a little older, still present all the things kids do. We live in the same home, make roughly the same income. The difference? Jesus entered my life and began to change me as I renewed my mind to His truth. I promise He will do the same for you!
Practical Steps to Begin Renewing Your Mind
Below are some practical steps you can begin taking to renew your mind to the truth of God’s word. These were steps I took in the beginning and still continue to do because renewing your mind isn’t a one-time thing. I know I can be quick to forget what I’ve learned and slip into my old ways, and you may be the same. So this has become a regular habit and discipline in my life.
1. Listen to faith-filled messages
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
Again, much of my early learning was through listening to audio teachings from different preachers I had come to like a trust. It confirmed the truth of Romans 10:17 for me, because during each teaching I could feel my faith increase.
As a mom, there really isn’t down time to just sit and listen, so get creative and find those pockets of time where you can tune in. My favorite times are during morning chores, while I’m getting ready in the morning, or during car rides while running errands.
2. Read the Word
The Word of God is seed and we have to plant that seed in the soil of our hearts to produce change (Mark 4: 3-20, 26-29, 1 Peter 1:23).
While audio teachings are great, we can’t grow only on the teachings and revelations of others. We need to cultivate our own personal relationship and experience with God. This comes largely through reading the written Word, the Bible. You may find certain scriptures really speak to you and jump out at you. Take note and write them down. Post them where you will see them frequently. Read them, speak them out loud, memorize them. Let them sink deep into your heart as you think on them.
3. Guard what you let in
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).
This applies to so many areas of our life, but especially our minds. I encourage you to evaluate what you are listening to, watching, and reading. Does it lift you up or bring you down? Inspire hope? Does it line up with the Word of God? We can’t fill our minds with the negativity of the world and expect to be positive hope-filled thinkers. We will reap what we sow into our minds and hearts. Choose to plant good things.
4. Choose to Think Positive
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5; emphasis mine).
Yes, you do get to choose what you think about. We can’t always control the thoughts that pop into our mind, but we can choose to continue to think on them or not. We get to decide the thoughts that take root in our mind. This takes effort, especially in the beginning, but it is worth it to keep yourself from falling into a pit of negativity.
This begins with reading and sowing the Word into your mind and heart. Once you know what the Word of God says about you, your family, and your life, it’s easier to spot the lies and negative thinking. When I realize I have some negative thinking going on and thoughts that don’t line up with the Word of God, I stop them then and there. I tell myself, no, and then speak what scripture says about the situation.
For example, let’s say you are trying to lose weight and nothing you are doing is moving the scale. Instead of telling yourself, I’ll never lose this weight, say, No. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I am already victorious in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 15:57). I may not see my goal realized yet, but it is finished in Jesus name and He will see me through this journey until the end.”
Final Thoughts about Renewing Your Mind
I hope you see the benefits of this powerful discipline and the positive impact it can have in your life and the lives of those around you. I also hope one of the practical tips above spoke to you. Which one will you begin implementing today?
Looking for More? Check out these posts for other ways to renew your mind!