Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Stop The Maintenance Program
During corporate worship, I heard the words of a song for the first time, even though I had sung it a hundred times.
"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves me." David Crowder
What are you maintaining?
Regrets?
Grudges?
Appearances?
Defenses?
Reputation?
All of the above and other destructive mindsets take time and energy to maintain.
It is as futile as trying to rake leaves in a hurricane.
How do you overcome it?
Recognize
First, you must recognize it as sinful thinking. You are trying to get your felt needs met outside of the love, approval, and justice of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will expose this through His light.
Repent
Second, you are drawn to repentance (a changed mind and belief) by the goodness of Abba Father. The Holy Spirit moves us toward the Father.
Renew
Third, you can be transformed by renewing your mind in submission to Christ. Your thinking patterns become the same as Jesus' mindset. As one who lives entirely upon the Father to provide all things through His perfect love. The Holy Spirit purifies our minds.
Recognize-Repent-Renew
How have you been stewarding your thinking?
How would the lives of those you love change if you stopped maintaining the destructive beliefs in your life?
What are the rewards of thinking, as Paul described in the above scripture?
Lord, You have told us to renew our minds to be transformed into children of transformation. Oh, that we believe and do! Amen