by Gina Conroy
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV
I used to sit in church and pray that God would just “zap” me and make me the person I really wanted to be. But after thirty plus years I’m learning that God doesn’t work that way – for most of us.
For years I’ve struggled with certain things, personality flaws so to speak. I’ve blamed it on my Italian New York upbringing, my parents divorce, the critical people in my life, etc. While that may be part of who I am, it’s not the whole me and I don’t have to continue to be the person of my youth.
I’m learning that just because I read a parenting book or go through a 12 week Bible study, doesn’t mean at the end I will be miraculously transformed. I can’t begin to tell you how many books I’ve read on the same subject and I still struggle with the same things.
…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Renewing. I guess I could break out all the concordances and go back to the original Hebrew or Greek to find out the origin of this word, but to me it means continual. I need to feed my mind continually so my heart will be bathed in the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Reading a book on parenting isn’t going to change me. But when I continue to read books, meditate on scripture and pay attention in church, then my mind will be renewed on a continual basis. Then I will be able to stand against the enemy as he throws his fiery darts my way.
Do I still wish God would just “zap” me and end all my struggles? Sure. But I don’t pray for it as much as I did before. I don’t except to be miraculously transformed, instead I continue to renew my mind and one day “when He appears, we (I) shall be like Him, for we (I) shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)
~Written by Guest Contributor Gina Conroy
You can find Gina at her blog, Portrait of A Writer…Interrupted. Gina is in her own words “an ordinary mom, serving an extraordinary God. Iām learning and growing in my faith, parenting, and writing (among other things)”.
As I grow in Christ, I see the joy of the non zapping method. WOnderful post
Great post this morning! I think we all struggle with this one to some degree. As for me, I often find myself living in the room of good intentions… trying to read a book or finish a Bible study that will “change” me once and for all. Your post reminded me of the True Faced book and message and how I need to be living in the room of grace; transformed by God and the renewing of my mind; one step at a time. There’s no quick fix and the journey IS the blessing.
Glad I’m not alone in this struggle and this discovery of what it really means to renew your mind!
I had to laugh about wanting to be “zapped” because sometimes I feel exactly the same way. You’re right though- It’s not like we can read a parenting book and then we can put a checkmark on the list of struggles to conquer. As hard as that is to come to terms with, I know it’s for the best.
~Kate
Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?
http://www.proverbs14-1.blogspot.com
So great to see you here, Gina! Wonderful post!
Well said, Kate!
Genny, glad to be here!
Gina,
What a beautiful post!
Hope all is well with you and your precious family.
Joanne
Zap! Yes, I have moaned and groaned begging God for a transformed mind. To read and know that God means for me to have the mind of Christ is amazing.
Love this post. I also have some issues I want to shift blame onto, but in the end who care who’s fault any of it belongs to. Transformation is my hope.
Good work.
Thanks Joanne! Blessings on yours as well!
Kay, I’ve given up on the zapping, now need to concentrate on the renewing!
I’m reading the book “Battle Field of The mind” right now and this post was so fitting for my life right now. The words “Fiery Darts” keep coming up in my life repeatedly. It gave me goose bumps to see it appear again. I hear it through prayer, reading books and God speeking through others. I know that God wants me to work on my shield right now.
Thank you
Candy, I’m reading that devotion book also! If only we could recognize those fiery darts for what they are instead of lashing out against ones we love!
I too am struggling with this. I wish I could be more like Christ, but I find myself identifying with the world. Especially at the workplace. How can I stop being conformed to the world, and grow more in Jesus?
Ray, by renewing your mind…often!? š Just remember sometimes the journey is more important than the destination! That’s how we’re transformed.