Coaching at RashidatO.com | Social Activism at Whereveryougolove.com
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Here in America, we have made a habit of defining everything that we come across. We build our definitions based on our limited experience, ideals, and things we learn from books and TV. Regardless of whether we would like to admit it, most of us have a very narrow view of the world. And not just the world, we have a very narrow view of God.
“Put your [open] hand on your head. Now look at your [open] hand. Now repeat after me… ‘God is bigger than this’” – Deon, Training Camp
Yes, God is so much bigger than the minuscule box we put Him in! He’s bigger than our hearts and minds can fathom! Isaiah 55:8-9 says “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” ? ?NLT??. http://bible.com/116/isa.55.8-9.nlt
But through Jesus Christ, we have a role model that shows us how to be closer to God, to be in relationship with God. And as we become closer to God we start to recognize and learn the character of God.
In training camp, I got to expand the spiritual freedom of my mind by experiencing God in new ways. The hard part about that experience, is that we avoid that road, in most cases, because it involves us being vulnerable. Experiencing God’s character involves being weak so that we can experience His strength.
I have experienced God as my healer, but I recently had the epiphany that God also Renews my Mind.
Jehovah – Rapha: God is my Healer. He heals my heart and renews my mind.
One day during our free time, I had a lovely walk with my mobilizer, Kristen Rene. I got to ask her about her lovely wedding, how she met her husband, and how their relationship materialized. I adore love stories so much more when one person has to grow on the other… because its real life. And that was her story. Her story was about a love that had grown and had developed as they got to know each other. I shared with her that I hope to have that same experience myself.
That has not been my experience so far…
The relationship with the last person I dated put me on a downward spin. And she challenged me… “Have you forgiven him”. I knew that I had prayed about it many times and in my heart I knew I had. But in order for her to ask me this question must mean that I am not projecting that freedom. Later that night, Bill Swan spoke on forgiveness. Not to be rude, but I glazed over the message… Until the very end. He spent nominal time on this, but the Holy Spirit threw this nugget at my head through Bill Swan and I got it…
“If you have prayed and asked God to help you forgive someone [and for your heart to be healed], but it doesn’t necessarily feel different, then all that is left is to Renew your Mind.”
The action of Forgiveness is a cleanse of the heart. It makes room for Jesus to come into your heart. Forgiveness allows you to experience the healing that Jesus paid for on the cross. But there is a second step…
The Renewing of the Mind changes the way you think, act, and feel.
As I processed the idea of a renewed mind, I realized my fear of not truly moving on from that relationship has been faced. And as God continues to work on me to renew my mind, I am growing to be a better person for the one God has created for me!
Forgiveness is less, and I would dare to say, not at all about the offense that needs to be forgiven. Forgiveness is about the cleanse of our heart. Who do you need to forgive? Who are you holding a grudge against? Who has hurt you and you refuse to let it go?
That unforgiveness, what ever it may be, is a plague and more importantly, it is bondage. It is an inhibitor to your freedom. So I’m asking you to let it go. From the hurt of a past relationship to disgust as someone cuts your off, holding onto that offense is not worth your freedom.
Pray to ask God to help you forgive.
Allow your heart to be cleansed.
Start to Renew Your Mind.
As you Renew your Mind, as you choose to think, act, and feel differently, walk to in the Freedom that it bestows.
That relationship may have felt like a downward spin at the time, but it has been blessing that made me seek out a church, a true relationship with God, and has set me on a path to think, act, and feel differently about so many things. It was one of the things that lead me to freedom.
Renew Your Mind, Experience Freedom, so that Wherever you Go, you can and will Love…
