In Romans 12:1 of the Holy Bible, the Apostle Paul tells the citizens of Rome, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
"BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND"!
I've read that verse, memorized it in high school, heard it dozens of times since, but had I ever taken the time to discover what it means? Or had I ever imagined I could actually apply those words of advice to my own life in order to live free and happy?? Not until now.
Let us analyze this verse,spoken nearly 2000 years ago.
****BE****=action verb used almost as a command, meaning state of being.
****TRANSFORMED****=
changed, altered, modified,changed the form of;changed in shape or appearance;metamorphosed;changed into another substance;changed in nature, disposition, heart,or character;converted.
****by the RENEWING=****
making new or as if new again; restoring, taking up again; resuming, repeating so as to reaffirm,
regaining or restoring the physical or mental vigor of; reviving,replenishing:
bringing into being again; reestablishing.
becoming new again.
starting over.
beginning again in freshness,perfection,or vigor;
giving new life to;
restoring,rejuvenating;re-establishing; recreating; rebuilding,regenerating.
making again
repeating; going over again.
making spiritually new;
growing again.
re-establishing on a new, usually improved, basis
****of your MIND=****
The human consciousness that originates in the brain and is manifested especially in thought, perception, emotion, will, memory, and imagination.
The collective conscious and unconscious processes in a sentient organism that direct and influence mental and physical behavior.
The principle of intelligence; the spirit of consciousness regarded as an aspect of reality.
The faculty of thinking, reasoning, and applying knowledge.
WOW! reading and re-reading those words over and over again make them stronger for me each time! When I read all the definitions, meanings, connotations, and inferences of this short little verse, I am overwhelmed with the magnitude of importance these few simple words hold. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING starts in the mind...and if we are to overcome our irresistible urges to rescue and control other people in our lives, we must RENEW OUR MINDS first, so we can experience a TRANSFORMATION in our behavior, word and deed. Whatever it takes to get there, quiet time, prayer, meditation, goal-setting, affirmations, or all of the above, I am willing to do so that I can experience life free of co-dependency. Contrary to what ignorant, self-loathing emotional abusers say, we DO deserve to be loved, nurtured, admired, cared-for, and valued for the person who lives inside our aching heart...and NOT for how we "enrich" and "save" their lives. They don't even want to be enriched nor saved by us anyway! How arrogant to think I am so desperately needed by people, and that they just couldn't get along without me. Bah! Enough of that defeatist thinking. I am taking Paul's advice: Today I begin. I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. =)
Author's Bio
Christine Burton, 38 years old, Single mother,High school English teacher,Christian believer, life-long codependent.
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