Renewing the Mind

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Recently I have been reflecting on some of the harder seasons we have gone through in life. Reflecting is good because it helps me to appreciate the season we are in now.  Though not without the conflict of each of us battling against sin in our hearts, there has been tremendous growth within our home and our family.  While we currently experience a genuine love and joy within our home most days, those seasons of deep waters were not so long ago.  When those waters threatened to overtake us, there were a few practical ways to renew our minds that we found helpful.  

This is a brainstorming list intended to generate ideas for those who may need some help renewing their minds during an intense season.  If you have found other helpful ways to renew your mind feel free to leave them as a comment.  We are always interested in new ideas!

Renewing the Mind:

• Write out a prayer from scripture for each child.
• Memorize a passage of scripture.
• Meditate on a passage of scripture while exercising on a treadmill (this requires coordination!).
• Find a mentor who will encourage you and speak Biblical Truth to you on a consistent basis.
• Join a group of moms (or dads) who are committed to praying for their children together.
• Fill your home with worshipful music.
• Memorize the Bible through song. (Fighter Verses or Seeds Family Worship)
• Read through the Bible together as a family.
• Read a good book together as a family.
• Assign children to monitor the blogs of missionaries and ask them to share the updates with the family so that you can pray together on a regular basis.
• Exercise together.
• Or exercise alone while renewing your mind with Scripture-laden worship music.
• Or exercise with a friend and be purposeful about building one another up in the Word.
• Write a letter to encourage someone else.
• Make a meal for another family.
• Volunteer together.  (This has been very helpful for our family to not become consumed with our own worldly attitudes, but to work together with compassion to serve another family, the church, or a ministry.)
• Read a biography or autobiography about a missionary.
• Determine to serve your neighbors together as a family.  (We have enjoyed doing snow removal and lawn care for our elderly and widowed neighbors.  In the winter we even take the little ones along on sleds or give them small shovels in order to "help."
• Surprise each child with a note at their place at breakfast telling them of your love for them and God's love for them.
• Play a game with your children just for fun and give thanks to God for their laughter.
• Set a timer in the evenings after the kids bedtime and only allow a small amount of time to re-hash the day.  After that be purposeful in renewing your mind and your relationship with your spouse.