May 10, 2010
The Ethic of Anticipation: Week 4
Posted by Will
Listen in: Hypocrisy at it’s best
This week we look at the role our minds play in our character transformation.
In order to begin the process of transforming our minds, we must first be aware of the patterns of our mind. Whether we realize it or not, we all have thought patterns that we run the events of our lives through. (pessimistic, optimistic, cynical…) These patterns determine how we experience reality and how others experience us.
If you were to ask some of the people closest to you what they thought your general thought pattern was, what do you think they would say?
The reality is that our thought patterns say more about us than they do about anyone or anything else. Paul says they either lead us to life or death. This is a kind of litmus test we can try on ourselves.
Test yourself this week by asking these questions:
Do my thoughts lead towards blaming or resenting someone?
Do my thoughts lead towards anxiety, fear, lust, bitterness, slander, or greed?
Do my thoughts lead towards joy, encouragement, thankfulness, or peace?
To begin to change our negative thought patterns, we must “set our minds on things above.” This means thinking about (practicing) God’s presence, power and peace in the present moment. We are to acknowledge and submit negative ways of thinking (there’s no shame in this) and ask for and rely on God’s help.
When you discover your negative thought patterns this week, try surrendering them:
Jesus, I admit I am feeling _______________________ right now. Will you help me with this? Will you lead me in this?
Recognizing and surrendering negative thought patterns is important, but for sustained growth, we must consider what we put into our minds in the first place. Our minds are sponges. We can’t expect to think correctly while we feed our minds junk.
What are some ways you can begin feeding your mind good things?
