Mind
Finding Happiness in 2 Corinthians 10
Today, I want to share a thought that comes from one of my favorite core exercises from “Hundredfold Now” which is to “take captive every thought.”
I think it is a step to the illusive “finding happiness.” Now, there could be a whole separate discussion on what I mean by “happiness” but stay with me with this much.
For now, I’m working with the notion of “hundredfolding” in the areas of our life we most care about would be a source of security and happiness. I believe that is Jesus’ intent and part of what He calls the “abundant life.”
Here’s a concept: is experiencing “hundredfolding” after putting Jesus above all things something you need to wait for to happen?
I came to the realization that the Kingdom of Heaven is “within” and “among” us, and that if we seek Him — meaning putting the important relationships in our lives and God’s commands — first, we will not be far off from the Kingdom of Heaven.
That’s about as close to saying that our lives, even with the brokenness and junk, can be perfect right now. It comes from:
1) Seeking God’s work right here, right where you are
2) Seeking God in the people, even the crappy, mean, messed-up people (doesn’t mean you have to hang around them, but that’s a whole different thing)
3) Seeking and accepting that, as you are, with the flaws and fears, you are loved and made in God’s image
One. Two. Three. Perfection (well…close to it in the sense you experience a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth) in three steps.
But to get there, you need to take control of the thoughts that don’t follow this prescription.
This takes time. It takes transformation.
How to Meditate on God to Learn Optimism
One of the ways we can develop greater health and greater success is to develop some of these habits below. These habits have secular origins, but I believe that they demonstrate the truth in Scripture.
One of the lessons in our e-book discusses the process of recalling all God has done. It comes from Psalm 77:11-13 and I believe exercising in this does several things. Some of these insights come from reading a decidedly secular book called “Learned Optimism.”
Again, because the origin comes from a psychologist shows that the outcome is true with empirical evidence, even if their attribution of the practice is not from a Christian world view.
Recall positive outcomes from the past
“Surely I will remember Your wonders of old” instructs us to try to see the past that shapes us with wonder of God’s hand. This creates resiliency for our current circumstances.
See the negatives as temporary
“You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble” puts into perspective that even the worse situations we may be facing are temporary. When we allow that mindset, we become more resilient in the world and trusting in God. In fact, it strengthens the faith we need today to see his faithfulness of yesterday.
Freedom from helplessness
“I cannot stop thinking about your might works” gives us the ability to act and confidence that we are not alone and helpless. Helplessness (often learned helplessness) leads to disempowering states like depression. But when we follow these words and meditate in what God has done, we begin to see everything else in a different optic.
These three aspects come from living a life that recalls all that God has done. They’ve shown that people who take the types of actions which can be derived from this mindset are more successful and live longer.
How often do people meditate on God’s “wonderful deeds of long ago”? Why not start today, and make it part of your program as we guide many people to do in “Hundredfold Now!”
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Why renewing your mind can save your life
As an expansion of Day 3 from our “40 Days” program, I’ve been reading a book which has some good things, albeit at times a little cheesy. “The Magic of Thinking Big” caught my attention because I believe the biggest thought we can contain comes right out of our Day 3 Lesson, and that is God and what God thinks is our best.
In this book, he quotes from a meeting he had with the head of a psychological consulting firm. He said that many people could be lifted from pain and malady if they did this:
“Simply this: destroy their negative thoughts before those thoughts become mental monsters.”
Mental monsters are as much as conforming to the world as anything else.
The example of someone using a secular exercise was to take a woman who was depressed and borderline mentally disturbed was lifted up by listing three things to be happy about.
No medication. Just pulling pleasant thoughts and focusing on those for three months changed her around.
If such proof of the power of the mind works in the secular world, why can’t we just take those steps and understand what God has in mind for us?
Where does it say we should be creating our own mental monsters of unhappiness and suffering when they are creations of our own thoughts?
I look back and think the lesson and exercises in Day 3 are a powerful foundation in what God really wants us to think.
There are other ways in which the “renewal of your mind” can impact your life, longevity, and even your impact in the world.
