Monday, May 26, 2008

A Transformed Mind

Disappointment, bitterness, anger, resentment…all these words describe my attitude this week. There are things that I had planned this week but couldn’t do them because Christian had hives, Carysse caught a cold, and then Christian caught Carysse’s cold. So, I’ve been serving my children instead of being able to do what I wanted to do.
My kids’ conditions really aren’t the culprits. The root is my sinful heart. I still need to die to self, selfishness, & self-centeredness. God is “killing” me in this sanctifying process. He’s teaching me that it’s not about me, but it’s ALL about Him. Until I get that, I will continue to go through test after test after test. God doesn’t grade on a curve. We just have to keep being tested. He wants us to be “mature, complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). So, He will continue to take us through the fire of sanctification until we come out looking more like Him.
Being more like Christ, takes a renewed mind. Romans 12:2 says, “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.” Many of us know this verse by memory, but really haven’t focused on the word “testing”. We don’t become saved and automatically have a renewed mind. As we are tested, we come to the knowledge of God’s will.
After reading Romans 12:1-2, I made myself 5 Transformed Mind Accountability questions.

1. Is this thought holy and pleasing to God? (verse 1)
2. Am I worshipping God with this thought? (v. 1)
3. Is this thought worldly or godly? (v. 2)
4. Is this thought helping me to have a renewed mind in Christ? (v. 2)
5. Will this thought help me to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will? (v. 2)

We must surrender to God’s transforming power and humble ourselves through our personal sanctification processes. Remember, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). May we all stand firm in this life as we look forward to the day when our Savior gives us the crown of life.

6 comments:

Stine said...

"I Feel Ya".....God continues to speak through you revealing my own struggles and reinforcing what I need to do to overcome them.
It is so plan, but not simple. I must die to self daily and when I do I see the favor of God all around me. I thank God for you, but I especially thank God for Jesus.

Tricia Keierleber said...

Thank you for sharing... I think we all need to read over these passages daily to remember Christ's will for our lives.

PS, I LOVE the pic of Kempton and Carysse on the blanket in your fav spring pic section! :)

Gen 's Family Story said...

I found your blog!!! I had those same feelings this week...now I am sooo convicted, yet encouraged by what you wrote!!! Michael is teething... Thanks for the pick me up!

Manda (+2) said...

Hang in there! Those weeks are tough. But thank you for speaking truth in the tough times. May the Lord grant you much grace and joy today as you seek Him in and through the "daily stuff".

robin said...

thanks

mom of 3, hater of cheese and birds said...

You echo the feelings of mom's everywhere! Now that summer is here, I am learning to enjoy my children, even if I don't enjoy EVERY minute with them! Hope you and the hubby get a date night soon. Regular breaks to read, talk to the hubby, feel like a real person, are key to enjoying the early years with small children (I think). :)