If we are to be transformed by the renewal of our mind (Romans 12:2) we must include a practical approach to mindfulness in our daily lives. The approach includes a few daily practices that will strengthen our mindfulness ability. I offer the following eight habits that will have you soaring into greater mindfulness sooner rather than later.
Create New Neural Pathways
Science shows that although our past has created neural pathways in our brains, we can write new ones with a transformed way of thinking. When you find yourself going down a thought path that is destructive, replace satan’s lies with God’s truth. Practice applying God’s truth to your life so that you rewrite and overwrite past neural pathways.
Care For Yourself
Train yourself to become aware of your negative self-talk or the “tapes” that run in your head from your past that do not align with who God created you to be. As you work at staying mindful of your thoughts, words, and actions, you care for your trinity of mind, body, and spirit.
Daily Affirmations
Remind yourself daily who God says you are. What are the promises of God that need to be reinforced in your life right now? What are the truths the Lord speaks to you about who He created you to be?
Change Your Perspective
Choose joy! Gratitude in the midst of any storm is the pathway to joy. Remind yourself of James 1: 2 which tells us to count it all joy, even when you meet trials.
Smile
Show your joy with a smile. The easiest and quickest way to raise your joy meter is to smile. The mere act of smiling can stop negative thoughts in their tracks. Scientific research shows that smiling a lot can actually rewrite the circuit in the brain that helps you keep a positive attitude.
Fill Your Mind with Godly Positive Thoughts
Read more than scripture. Read daily devotionals, readings, inspirational quotes regularly. Consider what you read in relation to your life and apply that which Holy Spirit points to.
Fill Your Mind With Scripture
I have already written about this in terms of taking your thoughts captive. Having God’s word readily available in your mind eases the practice of renewing your mind.
Read and Study
Science changes. It used to be that science thought the brain was hard-wired and could not change. In recent years scientists have discovered that the mind—our thoughts—have power over the brain. The brain in turn, has power over our bodies and spirits.
It is this scientific understanding of the power of thought that underscores Paul’s statement in Romans 12:2.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Hosea 4:6 says,
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
Stay up to date. Read. study. Build your knowledge base.
Conclusion
Your thoughts carry the power to transform your entire life. Proverbs 23:7 says,
For as he things within himself, so he is (emphasis mind)
We renew our mind by prayer over the past, by taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, by using mindfulness and by implementing daily practices that increase our mindfulness into our life.
Hone your skills to align your thoughts, words, and actions to who God created you to be and you will find yourself soaring into the amazing future God has for you.