How can we practice the mind of Christ?!

“²Do not conform 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.” Romans 12:2

Hello friends!

I decided to write part 2 about thoughts and mindset. I think this is really important to us, christians, to learn how to think the right things, based on the mind of Christ.

Paul says that we, the ones who chose to follow Jesus , have to practice a new mindset, based on Jesus. But how can we do that?

I already told here, about this great book I am reading: “The battlefield of the mind”, by Joyce Meyer!

So today, I wanna based this post in some tips I got from this book that are helping me!

It’s important to learn some practical steps that will makes us more conscious about the God’s will for our lives and also to help us change the way we think about ourselves and situations that surround us.

This process can be longer than you expect, but I can ensure to you that will worth it!

There is nothing more rewarding than look back to my life and see how I grew in Christ, leaving behind the old behaviors and mindset that used to let me down and make me feel stucked, hopeless to be successful!

The first thing I started to do(even before the book) and, it has proved efficient along the way was: PRAY and DECLARE the word of God over me and my future.

To be honest, at the beginning, it would seems weird and pointless. But, as I continued practicing and facing many situations in my daily life, I started to notice that my mind would bring to me those passages,in the most random situations,and would reminded me of what I’d declared before! And then, some things started to change!

This practice has a great effect on our minds in a long term process! I tasted and saw that it really helps us to change our thoughts and then, our feelings and actions, making everything easier.

I used to think “I will never feel different about this person (or situation)” or “this thing will never stop bothering me”. But now I can tell you: my MINDSET CHANGED and also my feelings about things that used to upset me; not everything, but like I said, it’s a process!

The second step is: Spend time with Jesus!

Yes, the first time I heard it, in my class at mission school, I thought that was weird and I did not know how to do it but, everyone can learn how to spend time with the BEST FRIEND you can possibly have in this life!

At first I would spend time with him more “religiouly”, cause I did not know any other way, so I’d pray and read my bible, keeping in mind that he was there with me! And it totally worked, I’d said to him everything that was bothering me or making me discouraged.

However, like any other relationship, we need time to get intimacy and feel confortable with the person,right?

With Jesus is not different, you will need some time together to grow and one day you will find yourself so happy and contortable with him around, that you will do another (fun) things together, like go to the movies! ( I really enjoyed this experience, when HE INVITED ME, LOL)

3. Think positively and remind the good times!

Thinking positively is not a easy thing to do, but we can practice! How?

First, surround yourself with positive people, people who already practice the mind of Christ! Those who are persuing the same goals as you are as a christian, who loves Jesus more than you do and then,it will be easier!

Talk about productive things, about things you want to accomplish, things you do everyday to grow. Share your insights about the word of God and listen to the others!

Praise the Lord in every circunstance, no matter what happens, remenbering that “… in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ” (Romans 8:28)

Bring to your mind EVERYTHING that God has already done for you! Remembering of every situation that He got you out and every time you thought you couldn’t go through something, but you got it anyway!

Remind those times with FAITH, knowing that the same God who did it once, will do it again, when you need it!

4. Seek for WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP from God!

You can do this by practicing three simple steps: reading the word of God, praying and spending time with Jesus! The more you do, more you will enjoy it and more you will grow,in your spiritual life and relationship with your Father.

Fill your mind with the truth of the bible and think about this all day long!

This is one of the more efficient( and also difficult) things to do!

I don’t know about you, but I have problems to control my mind sometimes!

I used to think all the sort of useless thoughts in my daily life, thoughts that distracted me from the truth, that made me angry and disappointed with me and others!

Learning to take captive all thoughts in Christ and control what I was thinking was the most difficult thing I learned and, I still have to do it every day in my life! It’s hard but it WORKS!

This will help you not only to think clearly but also to make wise decisions and chose according to God’s will for you!

5. Have in mind the LOVE of God for you!

Most of people, even we christians, are not aware about how GREAT is the Love of God for us!

Take a time to think abou this! You are alive and God chose you to live this LIFE, in this TIME, and He made you, exactly HOW YOU ARE!

You are not a mistake, you are chosen to live a great life, full of the LOVE of God. Jesus died for your life!

Not any kind of life, but life in abundance with a kind of PEACE and JOY that only He can provide to you!

I really want to encourage you to think about that, what is available to you NOW: a life full of the Presence of God, with PEACE that goes beyond any understanding. You can chose it TODAY.

You just need to surrender your life (ways, thoughts and dreams) to Jesus and He will do everything NEW.

“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”( Romans 8:37-39)

When you start to practicing all these things, you will learn that is possible to give all the control of your mind(and life) to Jesus! And don’t fool yourself: if it’s not Christ that is in control of your mind, another one is, and it’s problably not you!

So, take a chance and start to renew your mind today, asking for help to God in every step.

He will, definiteley, help you to get there! Not only that, but I can assure you that you and your Father will enjoy this journey together, to growth and achieve the mind of Christ!