transform

Relocate the Trashcan

I get bored easily. When this happens I relocate things around the house as I clean. My husband has learned to accept this about me. Too many times he has come home from work only to find the couch has yet again been relocated to a new spot in the living room. Please tell me I’m not alone in this?!

On this particular day, I found myself doing this very thing in my kitchen. It was time to find a better place for the trashcan. It was originally by the back door, but everyone kept running into it, so it had to be relocated. I decided to move it on the other side of the kitchen beside my refrigerator. The flow of my kitchen instantly became more functional. The trashcan had finally found its new perfect home. My kitchen finally felt clean and organized.

We strive toward our own plans but we must allow God's word and voice to direct us, daily. This provides a supernatural renewing and calm to our minds. Women of Faith | Spiritual Growth | Scripture Study | Christian Mentoring | Daily Devotional #devotional #scripture #guidance #peace #renew #transform

Training My Brain

Do you know what muscle memory in the brain is? Well, I do now! Even though I loved the new location of the trashcan, my brain seemed to still have trouble finding the new spot. I can’t tell you how many times I went to throw away trash by the back door. Naturally, I knew it would take a few days for my brain to get used to the new flow, but I never thought it would take this long!

After about two weeks or so of still having issues with finding the new location, I found myself seriously considering moving it back to its old spot. I figured, just give my brain what it wants, right? Instead, I resisted the temptation and stuck it out another week. Lo and behold, my brain accepted the new location of the trashcan! I no longer find myself throwing trash away by the back door! Hallelujah! It’s as if I never had any issues with the switch. It sounds like a silly analogy to use, but it works perfectly for what the apostle Paul is talking about in Romans 12:1-2… “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind“.

Renewing Our Minds

I had to train my brain to find the new location of the trashcan. In the same way we, as sisters in Christ, need to train our minds to find the will of God, instead of our own. This will seem frustrating at first, just like it was for me; because, let’s face it, we all naturally want what feels comfortable. Yet, Dear Sisters, God is calling us to a much better place! One that will make the flow of our lives function more smoothly, and operate WAY better.

If we choose to open our hearts and let God’s word saturate our minds, then we can begin the transformation required to function properly in this world. Walking in the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God provides immeasurable peace and joy that our souls crave. We might be born into sin, instinctively desiring to follow the world, but we are also God’s creation that He made to desire Him.

Ask, Seek, and Knock, Ladies…

Finding God’s will provides us with an understanding of what renewing should take place in our lives in order to function efficiently and effectively as His followers.

In Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7 – 12, Jesus teaches His disciples to ask, seek and knock. Ask God for help. Seek God first in everything. And knock continuously on the door to God’s Kingdom. If we seek Him, we will find Him…

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matthew 6:33, CSB

Today, Dear Reader, if you are struggling like me to find the new location of the trash can, then DON’T GIVE UP! We have all felt this way at one point or another. Today’s a new day! Ask God where He wants you. Seek God in all you do. Knock like crazy on the door to His Kingdom. And when He answers, Dear Friend, follow Him. His will is always worth pursuing.

Prayer of Renewal

Father, I need your guidance and direction in order to find where I will function best in my life. I know your will, Father, is good and pleasing and perfect for me. Lord, give a renewing of my mind that chases after your will daily. Thank you for patiently waiting for me. Thank you for forgiving me when I willingly choose to test the waters outside your will. God, keep my feet from wandering from the path you have relocated me to be. Protect me and give me your supernatural strength to face the unknown. I trust you, Lord! As I travel outside my comfort zone into this dark world, I have peace knowing your light will lead me to where I need to be. I pray all these things because of my Savior, Jesus Christ; without which none of this would be possible. Amen.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Pslam 119:105, CSB

Trust can be extremely difficult. But, drawing close to God can truly bring us out of our comfort zones and into the comfort of His faithfulness.

“If you behave, you’ll get some candy.”

We’ve all probably used some form of blackmail. Especially if you’re a parent. Most of the time it can be harmless, but what about when it crosses the line?

“If you don’t start behaving the way we want you to, we’re going to give you up for adoption.”

Sadly, all trust was broken when these words fell on little ears.

Trust is the glue that holds relationships together and when trust is broken, so is the relationship.

I’ve struggled to really trust people in my life. Seems like I’ve been trying to live up to everyone’s expectations because if I didn’t, they might walk away.

Earthly Trust

The definition of trust is the firm belief in the reliability of someone (Merriam-Webster).

Firm can be defined as solidly fixed. I think of “Gorilla Glue”: nothing is breaking apart what has been put together.

Sadly, most of us can agree that this type of trust is not of Earth. Living in a fallen world equals a lack of trustworthy humans. This makes any relationship daunting and even a little scary.

And, if you’ve experienced painful disappointment, you will attest to this; trusting in God can be hard.

We know we should do it, but it’s tough to put that much confidence in someone else. Perhaps you ask yourself how you can surrender it all to God when everything else in your life seems unstable and unreliable.

The fact is, we are surrounded by other broken humans. It can be difficult when all we hear them say is “the Lord is always faithful”.

Here’s the thing: we said trust is a glue to hold our relationships together. So if we don’t have some confidence in others, we won’t have satisfying relationships and we won’t be able to step out into greater things.

Comfort Zone

The same is true of God. We can’t grow in faith without beginning to trust Him. When we’re afraid to be “all in” with Him and trust Him completely, we will never achieve what His desires are for us.

We will remain in our comfort zone without growing in a relationship with God, fulfilling our purpose, or even having rewarding earthly relationships.

When Jesus appeared walking on the Sea of Galilee to the disciples, Peter called out.

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Matthew 14:28-31, NLT

Trust Recognized

See how Peter asked Jesus to invite him, extending his trust, and stepping out? Then once he was on the water, he started to think of reasons why he shouldn’t trust and he started to sink; back into his comfort zone.

Sound familiar?

Trusting completely in someone is scary when all we’ve known is uncertainty.

Jesus then told Peter he had too little trust.

Peter’s comfort was the boat. Instead of reaching out to Jesus and allowing God to stay beside him, he sank. What if Peter would have remembered how faithful Jesus had already been in his life?

The key is focusing on Christ. God is always faithful, certain, stable, and steadfast.

When we ask God to grow our trust in Him, it will extend to our other relationships, and give us the confidence to leave our comfort zones.

Peter went on to be known as “The Rock” the early church was built on, just two short chapters later. If Peter was able to grow in trust, we know by following our Lord, we can be blessed with increased trust also.

When we ask God to help us trust in Him, it will extend to our other relationships, and give us the confidence to leave our comfort zones. Click To Tweet

Growing Comfortable in Trust…

Remain close to God through daily reading of His word.

Review God’s track record from the Bible.

Remove ourselves from the situation. (We’re sinful and can’t even trust ourselves).

Remember God is our source of blessings and life.

Rest in God. He can take our past, heal us and give us a future.

This girl with trust issues knows that she’s not where she once was, but she hasn’t arrived yet either. After reading Peter’s transformation, I know God can use even the pain of my past to drive me from my comfort zone to an always faithful Christ.

Julie Loos is the mom of 5 kids and has been happily married to Greg for 19 years. She loves to read, eat chocolate, drink iced tea and spend time writing in the midst of messes.

You can connect with Julie on her blog unmaskingthemess.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Renewing: Training Our Minds to Seek the Will of God