Matters of the Mind

Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Rom 12:2

The mind is one of the complex power element to the body in the everyday decisions that we make. It is with our mind and intellect that we make those important decisions, whether they are good or bad, positive or negative.

Our mind has the mental capacity to perceive, transform, think, desire, choose, reason, memorise and much more. We cannot see the mind, unlike the brain, even though the mind is associated with the brain. Our mind however is connected to the brain, through the Neuron to Neuron connections and other complexed circuits. These Neuron connections are very important for the existence of the mind to receive and send information to other Neurons within our brain.

You may be asking, what is the difference between the brain and the mind? Well, for one you can see the brain, it's a physical thing, whereas the mind is considered to be mental, it has no shape, form or structure, but is powerful when we make those important choices, in how to feel or do. The mind is like a rudder that steers the faculty of our consciousness and thought, that affect and change us for the rest of our lives.

Moving on.....

In this blog, I would like to explore what is known as a 'Paradigm Shift'. The word Paradigm traces back to the Greek verb meaning 'to show, or pattern'.

In simple terms, it means a change or shift from one way of thinking to another. When the usual and accepted way of thinking has been replaced by a new thought process, about something that alters our thinking completely, this is known as a paradigm shift. For example, one of the areas of a radical change in thinking can be from a place of negativity into a place of positivity, or the reverse, positivity into negativity. This can also be known as a fundamental change.

There is so much resistance and negativity in the world today, that could potentially take you down a rabbit hole of deep depression and anxiety. Mental Health is one of the biggest topical issues in human existence today, in the way we feel or think when making those important decisions that influence options when making those decisions.

The social media news today portrays doom and gloom and more doom and gloom, not leaving much hope or a smile on our faces. This can overwhelm our rational thinking into irrational behaviour. Overall it leaves a general well-being of pessimism, and drown heartedness.

Recently, I made a conscientious decision not to watch the evening news, personally, it is full of melancholy and doesn't leave much hope. Mind you, I am not completely ignorant of what is going on in the world, I choose very carefully what input goes in my mind and my thought process. I choose to fill my thoughts with positive attitudes in spending time with Jesus through prayer and the word of God. I am not denying or retreating from negative things going on in the world today that could do with our prayers and intercessions.

This is what it says in (Philippians 4: 8-9), Paul a disciple of Jesus, spoke a word of encouragement to the Philippians, to fix their thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Paul goes on further to say..... Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. How do we do that? We put them into practice when focusing our minds on whatever is in line with God's purpose and destiny for us. What we fill our minds with will help us keep our thoughts on the right track and will help us to walk confidently with Jesus with clear clarity of thinking.

What are we inputting into our minds?

So, can we shift how we think towards negativity into positivity in our lives? We can! It takes practice and time to unlearn to relearn behaviours and thought processes. One way is that we get to choose a belief system that shapes us by replacing our dysfunctional belief too a more productive one that changes our course of action and direction. Are we believing that we are capable of learning and advancing that promotes our spiritual growth? When limiting our beliefs can stump our growth into unproductive patterns and outcomes. We get to decide from that which is real to that which is not important. Is it purely mind over matter? Or, do we use our mind and the things we believe and trust in to self-regulate in the present when situations around us are out of our control? We do know that fear and faith cannot be in the same room as doubt and belief. We get to choose, which one will you choose today?

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are one of the greatest examples of a mind shift from men's (women's) perspective to God's objectives. To unlearn from what we knew, to relearn to what we should know.

Do we need a lightbulb moment in our life, to change and alter the way we think?

Are we up for the challenge, allowing Jesus to change and alter our perceptions, ideology and thought process to become more confident and successful?

Do we need to remove the clutter from our minds, in order, to invite Heaven's clarity in that space in saying, "Yes" to the challenge?

Take away.....

Grab a cup of coffee or decaf Tea, and spend time with Jesus in prayer asking Him where you need to unlearn to relearn, from your old thought patterns, beliefs, attitudes and or behaviours that have blocked you, in keeping you in a place of repeating the same mistakes over and over, again! It is time to think and do NEW!

Be the new YOU!

Jesus loves you so much that He is not prepared to keep you there.

His desire for you is that you succeed!

Is that your desire too?

Let's pray.....

Heavenly Father, I thank you that your truth sets me free, in mind, body, soul and spirit.

Today will you rescue and deliver me from any dysfunctional mindsets or thought patterns that are preventing or blocking me from succeeding?

Help me to unlearn in order, to relearn. To advance and retrain my thoughts and behaviours towards my personal destiny and purpose.

Release my captivity today from all my sadness, self-sabotaging, anxiety, fears and any unbelief.

Today, bring my mind to a place of order, self-control, restoration and peace.

Thank you so much Jesus for believing in me!

Amen!