It is a fact that we think and we feel things—sometimes very strongly. But how we perceive the moment and how we react in that space is it based on truth? The Bible says, “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Faith comes by hearing, and that by hearing the word of God. Once we hear the truth, our spirit man bears witness because God’s law is written in our hearts. It soaks up the Word of truth like a thirsty plant and begins to insert  into our hearts a spirit of understanding. We then begin to believe the truth about how God sees us as sons and daughters. Our thoughts and feelings adjust to what is true—what God’s word says about life and living and His promises. Then our behavior changes, because what we think and feel is now influenced by a renewed mind that comes from God’s word, and His promises towards us. Our behavior will line up with our belief in what is true.

We get angry because of fear, doubt, and unbelief—fear that we won’t get justice, that life will never be fair to us, fear that we will fail, fear that we are not good enough, fear that we are always doing something wrong and there will be consequences. That fear results in anger or paralysis—fight or flight. Deep down, we react to what we believe. When our mind is not renewed in the promises of God and the power of His word, we have no faith in anything or anyone. More importantly, we have no faith in God. So all we have left, in our own minds, is ourselves. This is nothing more than self-worship. This is idolatry. It is putting our thoughts, our opinions, and our works above the knowledge and the wisdom of God.

Left to ourselves and our emotions, not trusting in what the WORD says about our life and how we live, we succumb to the base, untempered emotions and reactions that come from our unrefined (by the word of truth) human instinct. We become a slave to fear. What we lack in understanding of the scriptures is a vacuum where fear resides. For example, believing that we will never get justice unless we get it ourselves breeds fear driven anger and violence—even though God has said in many different ways, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay.” We find it easy to run into conflict, fighting for our own rights, rather than letting God by His Spirit fight our battles for us when we go to Him in prayer.

Being run by our emotions rather than being led by the Spirit of God causes us to rush into conflict, and that is rarely ever a good thing. We may think and feel that people and their behaviors are based on one thing when they are actually based entirely on something else that only God can see. Out of our trauma and bad experiences we read into the motives of other people another opportunity to be rejected. So we respond to them in a way that actually creates the very circumstances we are afraid of, because our reactions are misfiring and sending off signals that push people away—all because we will not take these strong feelings, these strong emotions, these things we think we might be discerning about another individual, to God in prayer. Trusting He will give us an answer, waiting on him until He tells us what to do.

If we are renewed in our mind by the word of God, then our knee-jerk reactions will not be out of impulse overriding wisdom with acts of self-preservation at the expense of others—self-preserving out of fear that if we don’t take care of ourselves, nobody will. When in fact Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Your value is far above rubies. If God’s eye is on the sparrow, how much more is His eye upon you?

Holding up our own opinions and our own conclusions, we misunderstand the behaviors of others toward us. An unrenewed mind has its own lens that is not based on truth, is not sober, is not discerning. It can misread what the thoughts and feelings are of others and create a narrative in our own heart and mind toward someone, becoming angry at them because we believe they are disrespecting us when actually they are not disrespecting us at all. Maybe their thoughts and feelings, not grounded in truth, are influencing their behaviors toward us. So we all need to give each other grace, understanding that we are all in need of God’s healing, mercy. Giving bad moments and spaces a pause before we react out of our emotions rather than out of knowledge of the truth and wisdom. Out of grace.

What do we do when we cannot change the behaviors of others—when their thoughts and feelings are askew? The stronger in the Bible serves the weaker. The greatest—say an apostle—is a servant of all. So naturally the stronger one, the leader, has to take the high road. Has to be the one that calms the storm, walks on water, and herds the cats gently patiently as difficult as that is! Be the better example. this is not down playing God‘s authority and his sternness when it is appropriate in KINGDOM governance. But what it’s focusing on is a reset on how we think— that is attributed to the renewing of our minds to the word of God. That’s the beginning of the journey of biblical change in our lives. Jesus was constantly being tested by the disciples and frustrated by them. Yet He gently leads. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

Will we allow the Word of God to renew our minds? Let it wash over the places of fear, the old narratives of rejection, the self-protective instincts that have kept  us bound? As you hear and receive the truth of how the Father sees you—His son His daughter, precious, never forsaken—your thoughts and feelings will begin to line up with His. And from that place of a renewed mind, healthier and freer, your behavior will follow. You will walk in the peace and strength that comes only from trusting Him.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Remembering that: Love is not easily offended.

Scriptures mentioned and quoted in this article (King James Version)

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jeremiah 31:33

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Romans 15:1

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Mark 10:43-44

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?