Objectivity in Christian Devotions A healthy Mindset

Objectivity in Christian Devotions a healthy mindset for experiencing growth.

A healthy mindset towards change leads to healthy growth in your relationships with God, yourself, and others. We all desire to know God more, be kind to ourselves in our habits, and have greater intimacy with our families.

It is worthwhile to take time and consider what your mindsets may be.

Change

Most Christians would agree that Christianity is about more than simply being in right standing with God and escaping hell. The doctrine of sanctification describes the process of becoming holy, where we’re to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom.12:2). Also, we are disciples (students) of Jesus. When it comes to being mentored by a father, most of us can relate to Daniel-son and Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, or even Luke Skywalker and Yoda in Star Wars. Something in us longs for that loving, yet firm, empowering mentor. God wants to be that and more in your life. But what does this mentoring look like with Jesus? How comprehensive is it?

How Far Can it Go?

Can anyone with any condition be changed? Can marriages be saved? Can authoritarian parenting methods be softened by grace? Is daily walking in the fruit of the Spirit attainable for all believers? I believe the answer is “yes” to all of these.

Let’s take it even deeper. Can people with deep rejection issues find healing in Christianity? What about depression? Most every prison inmate will tell you of their troubled childhood. Are these types of issues redeemable? I have to believe the cross is sufficient to heal all of these.

What Tools Do We Have?

When I consider the core Christian teachings I’ve heard through the years on how to change they are:

• Abide in the Vine.

• Cast down wrong thoughts.

• Read the word, pray, and worship.

I would consider these core change principles very important and yet largely willpower based. This is good as far as it goes. Yet, if we have a mindset that these are the only tools, these means of change may end up blocking deeper growth in truly becoming like Jesus. Lifelong struggles such as addictions or patterns of rejection require more than simple willpower. Statistics easily bear this out as we consider divorce rates and addiction rates among Christians, or even how many children raised in church are leaving the faith in early adulthood.

Maybe it is time to re-examine our mindsets when it comes to the change we should experience in the Christian life. Continue this thought by reading the post The Relationship-based Model of Change.