The Refresh Button

“Do not conform any longer 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.” — Romans 12:2

I’m not great at computers, but I do know and appreciate the value of the “refresh button.” When I need to get the latest data—or to update what I’m working on—that refresh button clears out the old, perhaps wrong, information and allows for the new to be brought in to replace it. When I read Romans 12:2, I think of it as my “refresh button.” If my mind is in a rut with false thinking, I need to transform it with truth—God’s truth—so that I can use God’s truth to know God’s will. That’s the right information—not Satan’s lies from being “conformed to the world.”

Recently I heard from a dear Army wife who writes beautifully. She shared with me a recent journal entry. I was struck by how she wrote a thought in this particular entry, and then tested it against what God said in His Word. It was as if she had wanted to take that thought—that old information—to see what God’s Word said when she “hit the refresh button”. What a great exercise! Here is what she wrote from her heart as she dealt with deployment:

LORD, I’M LONELY

I said, “Lord, I’m lonely.”
He said, “God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Ps 68:6

I said, “Lord, I’m tired of doing this by myself.”
He said, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Ps 68:19

I said, “Lord, I miss my husband—the father of my children and head of our family.”
He said, “For THIS reason I kneel before the Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Eph 3:14-15 (emphasis mine) He also said, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy dwelling.” Ps 68:5

I said, “But right now, Lord, I need more!”
He replied, “I pray that you…may have the power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God.” (emphasis mine) Eph 3:17b-19

And then He said: “Remember this: I AM”
“I AM able to do immeasurably more than YOU can ask or imagine.” Eph 3:20a—“And I love You!”

I look forward to reading more of what she has to share because I believe that she has captured a discipline that we would all do well to emulate. Are you struggling with a feeling or a thought? Test it against what the Word says. If it is a lie, push the “refresh button” and clear your mind to truthful thinking.

“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” — John 8:31-32

“. . . and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Cor 10:5b

Questions to Share:

1. If you have ever found yourself burdened, did you consider testing your thinking against what God had to say in His Word?

2. Pray that God will use His truth to renew your mind and refresh you. Then write down your thoughts and search scripture, perhaps using a Bible promise book or a concordance, and test what you are thinking against what God says.