Make Up Your Mind

Whoever said “Old habits die hard” wasn’t kidding! It’d be pretty easy to toss in the towel and just keep doing what we’ve always done – except that Christ has made a way to leave those old habits behind once and for all. He does this by renewing our minds. It’s part of the gift of the gospel, given to us at our spiritual birth.

This renewed mind is actually the mind of Christ at work within us, orienting us towards God’s desires so that our choices can align with His. Every time they do, God is pleased. So are we. His wisdom infuses our lives with joy.

Taking a cue from Joshua during his days as Israel’s leader, planning ahead is a good use of our transformed mind. It’s one of God’s best weapons for fighting temptation and the tug of old thinking.

“Choose this day whom you will serve,” Joshua declared. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15 ESV). He was all about defining values, loyalties, and priorities in advance. This has helped me immensely as a wife, a mom, and a career woman. Realizing that I could preempt temptation and determine my boundary lines ahead of the hot seat was huge. For Val and me to establish our non-negotiables as a couple before they were tested has further united us as parents and fortified our marriage.

Like anybody, compromise has come looking for me and my family more than once. Criticism and peer pressure have come our way many, many times. But the bedrock decisions have already been made. We’re able to remain strong because we have the mind of Christ, and He is the Rock on which we stand.

Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him. (Romans 12:2 CEV)

With Your mind at work in me, I’m stronger each day. When temptation stands before me, be my Rock and my Fortress. I’ve already chosen You.

This is an excerpt from 100 Days of Joy and Strength by Candace Cameron Bure – a devotional book released by DaySpring publishing. Learn more about this book, or shop other books & devotionals from DaySpring.