Intentional Renewal
52 Weeks of Transforming the Mind | Colossians 3:2
New Weekly Series
What started out as an attempt to change my approach to a frustrating situation and make the best of a challenging experience, turned into a complete transformation of my mind and spirit. Deciding to set an intention for an attitude shift, turned into 60 days of setting intentions that renewed my mindset and outlook on life. This is a new series where I share those intentions one week at a time and highlight the ways it pushed me to grow my light and faith.
Intention 1: Treat the challenges of the day as opportunities or gifts.
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When we are faced with a mental, emotional, or spiritual challenge, we may be compelled to act or respond out of anger, frustration, or any similar option. But that’s not who we really are or want to be. And that’s also not how we want to represent the Spirit of Christ. To better prepare for the next challenges, we can aim to see them as opportunities, or even gifts. opportunities to: 1-pause, 2-stretch our spiritual ‘muscles’, and 3-respond in a way that opens the door for light rather than darkness. This mindset shift was a game changer for me. I pray it can help you too.
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Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Lord, I do not know what the opportunities/gifts are or should be. These challenges are quite trying and I want to navigate them in a way that can help me be better and reflect Your Spirit. Help me to calm my heart and learn how to better reflect You in the challenge. Help me to practice and embody it with a spirit of courage. And help me to see these experiences in a new light.
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Watch ‘short’ version on Youtube: click here
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Intention 2: Seek to please God rather than man.
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I once heard someone say something like “being a people pleaser is fruitless because people are never pleased”. Whew! And it makes sense because so often we are looking for more or working toward the next thing. It’s hard for us to identify when we’re satisfied in our own lives, how could we possibly know when our work is enough for others? But God tells us exactly how we can please Him. And the best part is, no matter how hard our walk with Him is, He is more than able to carry us through. When we are weak, He is strong. We know His grace is sufficient for us, 2 Corinthians 12:9. So I will work to refocus my energy away from satisfying my fellow man and seek the fruit that comes from pleasing the Lord.
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2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Lord, how is it that Your strength is made perfect in weakness?! Wow. It’s a huge weight lifted to know that not only do I not have to be strong, but to know that my weakness shows how powerful You really are. And that’s worth seeing. Not my strength, but Yours. Thank You for who You are.
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Watch ‘short’ version on Youtube: click here
Download desktop wallpaper: here
Download phone wallpaper: here
Intention 3: Dwell on the positive things rather than negative ones.
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Not sure why my brain does this, but the negative things that happen throughout a day get so much of my attention. It’s strange because I wouldn’t consider myself a negative person, but the moment something doesn’t go the way I hoped or planned, it’s all I can think about. Even if the day is 90% positive, I will dwell on the 10% chaos and subsequently ruin my mindset and outlook. But good can and should be much louder in my world. It should fill the space in my heart and consume my spirit. So my focus moving forward is to enthusiastically meditate on the positive throughout my day and life rather than allowing my brain to dwell on and settle in the negative.
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Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, 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.
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Lord, help me to be drawn to the light like a moth to a flame. Help me not settle in darkness because it feels familiar. Help me resist succumbing to its weight. I know my spirit will shine brighter by dwelling on things above rather than below. Please give me the strength to set my eyes on You. Thank You.
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Watch ‘short’ version on Youtube: click here
Download desktop wallpaper: here
Download phone wallpaper: here