Change for the Irrational Mind
To transform our irrational minds is an action. A committed, purposeful, intentional action.
Where does an action begin? The end goal looms out on our horizon as a mountain, one that we want to quickly conquer.
Like any run (I'm thinking of the 15 miler I have to do Saturday) we have to put on our shoes, have a drink, and nibble something small before we can ever even walk out the door. Once outside we pick up our feet and make it to the end of the street.
Okay, we've made it to the end of the street. Now, we break it down. Once I get to the end of this song I'll be warmed up. Okay, I'm going to pick up my pace for the next song and then work back down to my target heart rate. Round this corner and just make it the last two miles to the zoo. I'll get some water. Whew. Made it, now let's turn around. Just three miles back to the trail...and before we realize it the 15 miles is broken down in our minds into manageable chunks. The hill ahead isn't the focus so much as the lamp post half way up, and once we get to the top then we get a breather and get to go downhill.
Then there are the other parts of the run- the stomach cramps, achey muscles, and the sweat.
Pain is just a byproduct of working, it's inevitable. Like the stomach discomfort, there are times when we will think we've made great strides in our thinking and then something or someone comes along that disrupts our focus and perhaps we fail. The best athletes don't quit though.
Achey muscles are the signs of muscle growth and strength. Exhaustion after tough mental challenges can be discouraging. But they are signs of life, signs of growth. Stick it out. Hang in there. Strength is built and trained for.
Sweat. That nasty component. I always wished I didn't sweat so much. But sweat brings relief. You know how refreshing it feels to feel a breeze during a warm morning run. In our efforts to transform our minds we need to open ourselves up to what will bring relief. If we are honest, that is often found in a convicting word from the Word. Or sometimes in a challenging thought from another individual. What is spoken or read may not be easy to hear or accept, but we know that it can be useful.
Where does an action begin? The end goal looms out on our horizon as a mountain, one that we want to quickly conquer.
Like any run (I'm thinking of the 15 miler I have to do Saturday) we have to put on our shoes, have a drink, and nibble something small before we can ever even walk out the door. Once outside we pick up our feet and make it to the end of the street.
Okay, we've made it to the end of the street. Now, we break it down. Once I get to the end of this song I'll be warmed up. Okay, I'm going to pick up my pace for the next song and then work back down to my target heart rate. Round this corner and just make it the last two miles to the zoo. I'll get some water. Whew. Made it, now let's turn around. Just three miles back to the trail...and before we realize it the 15 miles is broken down in our minds into manageable chunks. The hill ahead isn't the focus so much as the lamp post half way up, and once we get to the top then we get a breather and get to go downhill.
Then there are the other parts of the run- the stomach cramps, achey muscles, and the sweat.
Pain is just a byproduct of working, it's inevitable. Like the stomach discomfort, there are times when we will think we've made great strides in our thinking and then something or someone comes along that disrupts our focus and perhaps we fail. The best athletes don't quit though.
Achey muscles are the signs of muscle growth and strength. Exhaustion after tough mental challenges can be discouraging. But they are signs of life, signs of growth. Stick it out. Hang in there. Strength is built and trained for.
Sweat. That nasty component. I always wished I didn't sweat so much. But sweat brings relief. You know how refreshing it feels to feel a breeze during a warm morning run. In our efforts to transform our minds we need to open ourselves up to what will bring relief. If we are honest, that is often found in a convicting word from the Word. Or sometimes in a challenging thought from another individual. What is spoken or read may not be easy to hear or accept, but we know that it can be useful.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
Hebrews 12:1
Action is a process and it involves discomfort, challenge and refreshment. Action might be slow. Here is one of my favorite songs, Slow by Audrey Assad
Hang in there and keep running.
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