In his book “In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day“, Mark Batterson makes a simple but profound observation:
It’s not enough to LEARN new thoughts … you also have to UNLEARN!
Never have truer words been spoken, and it has taken me several decades to both learn and unlearn from my past. For example:
It’s not enough to learn about the love of God … I also had to unlearn fear.
It’s not enough to learn to trust His love … I also had to unlearn rejection.
It’s not enough to learn to hope in His word … I also had to unlearn doubt.
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world,
but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.
Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good
and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”(Romans 12:2 GNB)
A dear friend shared an image with me that she found via Google (yay Google!!). I followed the link and was utterly delighted to read the associated post “Daily Affirmation: Take Every Thought Captive” by Jenny (a different Jenny), author of “The Littlest Way“. I highly recommend you read it through … lots of resources on her site too!
Every time I read this, I can’t help but smile! It’s not my artwork, but it does rather feel like she created it just for me. Don’t you think? 🙂
I’m so grateful that God did the work of “transforming me inwardly by a complete change of my mind.” (YAY GOD!!!)
As the truth of His Word began to take root in my heart, not only was I learning of His love, character, trustworthiness, faithfulness, mercy, patience, joy, etc. …..
…but I was unlearning fear, doubt, terror, distrust, self-protection, judgement, etc. And over time (unfortunately, over a lot of time – but hey, at one point in my life, I was pretty messed up!), He changed me from the inside out!!!!
Learning and Unlearning.
They are both required for true transformation.
Over the next few days I’ll be gathering some of the resources I’ve created over the years and share them with you in an upcoming post (or maybe on a new tab?). In the mean time, please feel free to comment below with a prayer request or to share of your own “transformation / change of mind.”
PuttingHopeToWork 