Thought Editing: New Model Available! Improved Performance and Functionality!

 

“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create.” Leonard Sweet

Tonight, while reading the text for my current course in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program, I had some thoughts I wanted to share with you. I started thinking about how excited we get for the latest models of our phones, cars, appliances, and other things and we don't even mind paying higher prices for them. But have you ever considered the new model of man that is available? The new version may look the same on the outside, but the real updates are on the inside.

Have you ever experienced being physically and mentally exhausted, maybe sitting at your desk at work or school, and then thinking that after today, you are going on vacation? You continue thinking about the relaxing vacation you have planned or maybe just staying home and binge-watching your favorite TV shows. Do you remember how you felt just from those few minutes of thought? I have, and it's like a boost of energy welling up from the inside. Imagine this energy persisting throughout your lifetime, We cannot dismiss the power of our thoughts. The renewed versions of our mind, spirit, and soul contribute to the well-being of our bodies.

We can transform our souls by taking responsibility for all aspects of our lives, including our thoughts. Allowing God's grace, truth, and power to permeate our thinking and choices will positively impact our actions. While we may not yet have perfect bodies, we can still experience the benefits of having renewed parts of our mind, spirit, and soul. By doing so, we can live an abundant life on earth, the kind promised by God. Many individuals prioritize money, career, pleasure, and power above everything else in their lives, dedicating themselves to these pursuits. While there's nothing inherently wrong with these aspirations, they often leave one feeling unfulfilled, as material possessions cannot provide the spiritual fulfillment or transcendence that is inherent in human nature, given to us by God.

“People are searching for answers, reaching for anything to anesthetize the pain and fill the void in their lives.”¹ Solomon wrote, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied” (Eccl. 6:7 nkjv).

There are teenagers who question the value of life every day in our world, as well as individuals seeking purpose. The rapid pace, emotional pain, and stress of modern life are depriving us of our happiness.Nonetheless, all hope is not gone. We have a living Savior who extends to us forgiveness, purpose, and hope.

“Social and political revolutions have shown no tendency to transform the heart of darkness that lies deep in the breast of every human being....Amid a flood of techniques for self-fulfillment there is an epidemic of depression, suicide, personal emptiness, and escapism...all combined with an inability to sustain deep and enduring personal relationships. So obviously the problem is a spiritual one. And so must be the cure - Dallas Willard (1988, viii).”¹

Here are some inspiring scriptures that affirm what I've just shared with you.

John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

3 John 1:2 (AMP)
Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].

Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMPC)
My son, attend to my words…keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.

Romans 8:11 (NIV)
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Romans 8:2
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

John 10:10 (NIV)
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day”

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Psalm 92:14-15 (NIV)
“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I truly hope that you've found some inspiration here that will help you look forward to the future with optimism.

Reference

1. Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T (2015). The New Christian Counselor: A fresh biblical and transformation approach. Eugene. OR: Harvest House Publication.