Renew Your Mind

“Do 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)

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve read my message on “Change Comes from Within”.  This message is similar but one that is very important.  We cannot change people to our liking, and we cannot expect them to change unless they want to.  If your partner doesn’t like to dance, we can’t make them dance.  If your partner can’t stand football, no one can make them like football, and no matter how hard we may try to reform a loved one from an addiction, unless they want to, they are not going to change.  We also cannot bring people to God simply by saying you need to believe in God.  

The only thing we can do is change our own thinking, and renew our own mind.  Instead of blaming, accusing, or maintaining an attitude with those you love because they are not changing to your liking, you need to look within and change the way you react.  Accept them and love them for what they are.  They are God’s children too.  For those non-believers, until they come to God and truly set Him before their own desires and bow down asking for Him to save them, there is nothing we can do other than love them and share our experiences and testimonies with those willing to listen. The best way to overcome your frustrations for those refusing to give in, is to love them even more.  Become more God-like in our ways, thoughts, words, and attitudes.  

When you are disrespected, even by a stranger, instead of getting all worked up, return to them with a smile and simply say I hope you have a better day. A quiet prayer to God is always helpful. Your response will leave them thinking and it may just change the outcome of their next interaction.  When your loved one raises their voice because they had a bad day and begin taking it out on you, your response should be in a loving and caringly calm voice because you know they had a bad day and they really don’t want to be disrespectful to you or hurt you in any way. As you talk calmly towards them, usually they will recognize and calm down as well.  Now I know there are people out there that are literally getting abused, and this does not apply to you.  You have other options you will need to look into and I am not qualified to guide you in any way when it relates to abuse.  Except to talk to God and ask for His strength to help pull you through those difficult times.  God is there for all of us; reach out and grab His hand and He will pull us through. You might even decide to confront your loved one letting them know how what they are doing makes you feel.  They, too, may rethink their ways because they don’t want to make you unhappy and may not even realize what they are doing and how it affects you. Talk to God first, ask Him to give you wisdom and the words to say in order that you and He can make the best choices together.


Only we can change our situation and with God’s help, the outcome will be better than you expected.  I urge you to renew your mind, change your ways and your thinking, and accept people for who they are and pray for them. As we are transformed, let us transform others by sharing our story with everyone that is willing to listen; it just might impact them more than you know!