It's All in Your Head

No, really. It is. 

Any change that lasts longer than a minute (or however long the adrenaline continues to surge from the excitement of the original idea) is only able to endure because of a major shift in your thinking and/or perspective on the matter. 

I'm not talking about a new age "mind over matter" philosophy. I'm talking about the reality (and biblical truth) that our minds require total transformation about almost everything. (Romans 12:2)

Sometimes we have an "aha!" moment that, in an instant, rearranges our thoughts, and we never look back. Many times, however, we have to beat our minds into submission by constantly taking our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and battling our destructive mental mantras. 

Whether you are trying to adopt healthier habits, stop procrastinating, pray more regularly, have a better marriage, worry less, or be a more joyful person, you will have to rearrange your thinking and perspective on the situation and yourself.

But how?

True transformation starts not just with rethinking a situation or flooding your head with affirmations in the hopes that your heart will follow. You do best when you start by rearranging your thoughts so that they are in line with God's perspective. This is where the fun begins!

Rather than focusing on just the behavior, spend some time asking God, "What are your thoughts on this?" Or, "How do you see this situation, God?" Or, "What is your perspective here?" I'd bet that you'd often be surprised! What's more is that your question--and your implied willingness to take a journey with God--is what delights Him most. Is He concerned about your behavior? Sure. Does He desire for you to achieve more of your potential? Of course. But He desires most of all that you draw closer and closer to Him and that you allow Him to remake you into His image (the glorious image that you were actually created to bear).

He knows that the more you learn to think like Him, and the more you allow Him to reveal Himself to you, the more the desired behaviors will follow. It's what the Bible calls "fruit of the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-23) And, like any other fruit, it is a natural byproduct of otherwise healthy conditions. In other words, when a tree is healthy, rooted firmly, and nourished, then it will bear fruit. The Bible teaches that when we are connected to the Vine (Jesus), then we, too, will bear fruit. (John 15:5)

A tree will never grow fruit by focusing on the fruit. It will grow fruit when it exists in the healthy conditions under which fruit naturally grows. The same is true for us. Spend your time and energy focusing on allowing God to transform you, starting with your mind. And the fruit will come. ​

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