As an electronics and communications engineer (ECE) I know that the best mode of a communication system is called bidirectional two-way communication (or full-duplex system). And one of the reasons we exist is because God made us to communicate. He gifted us with languages so that we can express our thoughts in any form, be it in verbal words or in non-verbal sign. Two-way communication is a vital element of any relationship. Relationship grows as communication goes deeper.
God enjoys his relationship with the Godhead and also with human beings. Even after they disobeyed God, we can see from his action how he valued his relationship with them in the Garden. “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). Yes the serpent has deceived them. But they could have not allowed their minds to receive thoughts impressed by him. Notice how the woman’s mind was shaped by deceptive thoughts which led to disobeying God. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Gen. 3:6). Their actions followed their thoughts!
As I observe my life, I got into mess mostly for being impetuous. I would purchase something without thinking how would it affect my budget, which in the end I would regret about it. Being insensitive, I could easily hurt a person by words without thinking how should I have told them carefully. Yet I am thankful to my mother because she always evaluates my character and encourages me to improve at some sort.
Sometimes my fallen humanity tells me to become self-sufficient and self-reliant. I would deliberately neglect God especially when I knew I would go against him. Fortunately, I am humbled by my limited capacity and I would end up frustrated. How can I serve God by disobeying him? I realized how terrible I was whenever I was off the course or making a detour. I desperately need God. He has always been gracious and patient with me.
As I have been constantly evaluating my talk and walk which reflect my relationship with God, I am always encouraged that one day my thoughts will be completely transformed into Christ-likeness. And as I eagerly wait for that appointed time; I am reminded to continually communicate my thoughts to his will and his lordship.
Transformation: Conquering your emotion
We smile, laugh, shout, cry, and hurt. These are just some physical manifestations of our varied emotions as human beings. Our rational mind can identify necessary emotion in every circumstance we are at. It becomes beneficial for us not to suppress our emotions but expressing them gives us a certain relief feeling. Contrary to the latter, it may cause emotional breakdown- which is an “out-of-the-mind” mental state. In the same manner that the mind can drive our emotion, the mind can be driven by emotion. The latter is a mental tendency referred to as emotional. This uncontrolled and unpredictable state of the mind can be dangerous both for the person himself and others surrounding him. While the mind processes information (stimulus) but emotion responds to situation (stimulus); we must allow our mind to form a good response for a given situation. Good decisions are often products of careful thinking while bad decisions are mostly the results of careless feeling. How we express our emotion reveals our mental condition.
Various fields of science have become fascinated in conducting study and research to understand emotion and how it affects a child’s development. “Emotional Intelligence” was not a common word to academic institutions until it appeared in the title of Wayne Leon Payne’s doctoral dissertation in 1985. Since then, plenty of books were published and many tests were conducted to determine the child’s emotional intelligence. As a result there are conflicting opinions as to how to define and measure emotional intelligence. But one thing I found common to these different definitions is emotional intelligence is a “mental” ability. In other words, it is the function of the mind. And the fact that it is an “ability”, it can be further modified and developed.
Problem, conflict, violation of rights and values often trigger our emotional nerves and they may affect how we handle the situation. Though Apostle Paul’s freely expressed a variety of emotions (Philippians 1:1-30) through his letters, but his knowledge of Jesus helped him deal every difficult circumstance wisely. Likewise, our experiences, education, and environment play a significant part in shaping our thoughts, but only through personal encounter with Jesus can we draw wisdom in dealing with our emotion. I would say emotional wisdom and wholeness must be the by-product of a renewed mind (Ro. 12: 2). We cannot avoid negative circumstances but we can avoid circumstances affecting us negatively.
In my few years of being involved in youth ministry I can be easily devastated by criticism of people against my leadership style. It would take a while before I can get over and re-compose myself to minister again. But I found out that as I time goes by, I have learned to handle my emotions. I am reminded that Paul had to suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually in proclaiming the gospel. Even Jesus had to suffer the pain and humiliation of the cross up to death for my redemption. I saw my sufferings more bearable than theirs. Suffering is the mark of the true disciple of Christ; and finding joy amidst the pain comes only after understanding the divine will of God revealed in his words and through circumstances we experience. God must be the source of emotional wisdom.
Various fields of science have become fascinated in conducting study and research to understand emotion and how it affects a child’s development. “Emotional Intelligence” was not a common word to academic institutions until it appeared in the title of Wayne Leon Payne’s doctoral dissertation in 1985. Since then, plenty of books were published and many tests were conducted to determine the child’s emotional intelligence. As a result there are conflicting opinions as to how to define and measure emotional intelligence. But one thing I found common to these different definitions is emotional intelligence is a “mental” ability. In other words, it is the function of the mind. And the fact that it is an “ability”, it can be further modified and developed.
Problem, conflict, violation of rights and values often trigger our emotional nerves and they may affect how we handle the situation. Though Apostle Paul’s freely expressed a variety of emotions (Philippians 1:1-30) through his letters, but his knowledge of Jesus helped him deal every difficult circumstance wisely. Likewise, our experiences, education, and environment play a significant part in shaping our thoughts, but only through personal encounter with Jesus can we draw wisdom in dealing with our emotion. I would say emotional wisdom and wholeness must be the by-product of a renewed mind (Ro. 12: 2). We cannot avoid negative circumstances but we can avoid circumstances affecting us negatively.
In my few years of being involved in youth ministry I can be easily devastated by criticism of people against my leadership style. It would take a while before I can get over and re-compose myself to minister again. But I found out that as I time goes by, I have learned to handle my emotions. I am reminded that Paul had to suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually in proclaiming the gospel. Even Jesus had to suffer the pain and humiliation of the cross up to death for my redemption. I saw my sufferings more bearable than theirs. Suffering is the mark of the true disciple of Christ; and finding joy amidst the pain comes only after understanding the divine will of God revealed in his words and through circumstances we experience. God must be the source of emotional wisdom.
Transformation: Renewing of the Mind
Our mind is powerful so much that it acts like a control center of our being. We become what we think we are. Our attitude is the outward manifestation of our inward thoughts. The maturity level in any form reveals the status of the mind. The disposition of the person indicates his maturity not his age, though his experiences somehow might have molded him. In spiritual maturity, a person may have grown old but never grown up. We see it through his attitude toward others, circumstances, problems; and sense it also through his reasons given a particular situation. The best evidence is found in Philippians 2:5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”. A spiritually maturing believer thinks less of himself but more of others. Had Jesus thought of himself, his welfare, and his status he would have not sacrificed his life for us. And as followers of Jesus, we are to imitate his humble attitude and selfless character with a genuine faith. Our goal for this journey is not just to become instantly mature believers, but to be gradually re-formed into the image God created intently. We have lost this true image since our fall, but we can regain it through spiritual formation. We need a complete transformation.
But how can transformation happen in our life? Romans 12:2b says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation starts with our mind! We must allow God to renew our mind by submitting to his will and purpose. There are Christians who have just received Christ but never gave up their lives. They will never be formed into his character unless they permit God to replace their minds with the mind of Christ. If a believer is stuck in a low esteem of spirituality, perhaps he is still conforming to the pattern of this world. We must feed our minds with his words, thoughts and desire.
I am so eager to see young people’s lives transformed in a certain way, only to find out that some areas in my life require transformation too. My view of them changed when I saw my own spirituality and personal struggles caused by un-renewed mind. I have learned to become patient with them, just how God had been patient with me. I may not see them transformed yet, but I personally experienced transformation. I think it’s the best thing that happened.
But how can transformation happen in our life? Romans 12:2b says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation starts with our mind! We must allow God to renew our mind by submitting to his will and purpose. There are Christians who have just received Christ but never gave up their lives. They will never be formed into his character unless they permit God to replace their minds with the mind of Christ. If a believer is stuck in a low esteem of spirituality, perhaps he is still conforming to the pattern of this world. We must feed our minds with his words, thoughts and desire.
I am so eager to see young people’s lives transformed in a certain way, only to find out that some areas in my life require transformation too. My view of them changed when I saw my own spirituality and personal struggles caused by un-renewed mind. I have learned to become patient with them, just how God had been patient with me. I may not see them transformed yet, but I personally experienced transformation. I think it’s the best thing that happened.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)