Focus for the New Year
Ever heard something or read something that sounded interesting, but never really put it into practice, or maybe you just thought it didn't apply to you? Or maybe you thought you were doing that thing already, so you thought I got this. But then you hear it again at a different time in your life and feel convicted to now put it into practice, or now you see it through a different lens, the lens of Christ.
Hi, I'm Amanda. I am a co-owner of 9Strands. I have had this feeling multiple times, but currently, I am speaking about transforming your mind. I have read the verse Romans 12:2 many times and even tried to live by it. "Do not be conformed by the ways of this world," got it! I am set apart, made to not follow what the world does but follow what Christ says. But the "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" part is what has got me currently. You can ACTUALLY transform the way your mind works, how your brain thinks and processes information. If you continuously think negative thoughts or filling your mind with things of this world, those are the pathways your brain knows. But when you start to focus on your thoughts, and you notice when negative ones come, you stop them! "We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:5b). When we take EVERY thought captive and align it with what God says, we are literally transforming our minds. We are building new neural pathways that will help us continue to have the mind of Christ. Transforming our minds is a process that starts within and then overflows outwardly. Start thinking like Christ to live like Christ, to love as He loves and care as He cares. Our thoughts do determine how we behave; our thoughts have consequences. With this start to a new year, I am inviting you to join me on this journey to take every thought captive and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Make new neuro pathways. Cling to the Lord to know what is good and what is pleasing to Him. God's Word is Truth!
God bless you and your journey.
Amanda, Daughter of the King!!