November Word of The Month – Who You Are – Part 2

Dear Lovely Reader,

Hope you’re well 😊 Continuing on from the last post October Word of The Month – Who You Are – Part 1 , here is the second tip for building good character.

Tip 2:

Love the Lord your God with all your mind 

This is choosing to make the conscious daily effort to surrender our thoughts/thought pattern to be in agreement with Biblical principles and standards. Our thoughts can either be dominated by our carnal nature or the spirit of God.

Carnality is the passions and desires of our flesh (human body and mind). This includes: lusts of the flesh – sin and sexual immorality, materialistic obsessions, love/greed for money and power, pride, gluttony, envy and hatred for a person. We all have this nature as we all are conceived in sin in this fallen world. Carnality starts within the mind and “is enmity against God, not subject to the law of God and never will be” (Romans 8:7).

The good thing is we don’t have to live by our carnal nature but we can live by the spirit of God through renewing our minds with His word.  We have to keep our minds in check in good seasons and even more so in the stormy trials of life.

In difficult seasons, our thought pattern can be dominated by negative feelings. This is what can be dangerous to emotional and physical well-being. We should not live by our feelings because they constantly change and can be affected by sinful desires. However, the good thing is that thoughts determine feelings. We have the power to choose how to feel by purposefully thinking positively even when things look gloomy.

One thing I have learnt this year is that feelings should only be a gauge to living life and decision making.

When overwhelmed by feelings of despair, I’ve learnt to look to God’s word. If feelings line up with God’s word – good but if not (e.g. fear, doubt, insecurity) we have to change our mind-set. We are called to live by faith, not by sight which causes our minds to be consumed with feelings.

This will cast out fear and give us a sound mind. These steps will enable the love of God to be birthed in our minds, then we will have the ability of love God with our minds.

Step 1: Renew your mind

To renew our minds, let us make the conscious effort to think uplifting, just, morally right thoughts.

Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things – Philippians 4:8

In good times and bad times:

• Remember God’s goodness in the past
• Remember and know God’s closeness in the present
• Remember God’s power in the future

By doing this, we are transforming our mind and purposefully aligning our thoughts to God’s word.

In times of discouragement we have the power to cast down negative imaginations and thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) and rather fill our minds with God’s promises.

Step 2: Have the mind of Christ – Philippians 2:1-11

To truly develop and have the mind of Christ, we have to identify with His purpose:

• To save the lost and show mercy
• Obedience to the Father’s will
• Humility and servant hood
• Faithful in prayer
• Total dependence on God

When we start to possess these traits within our mind, our character strengthens daily. There is a sense of peace and fulfilment that comes upon you that this world cannot give. Knowing that we are created for a purpose greater than ourselves – to bring God’s glory and goodness to the earth.

Thank you for reading and I hope the remaining days of this month will be great for you.

Peace and every good blessing be yours in Jesus Name. Amen.

-Josie x