Think Again!

Chapter 13: The Practice of Forging: Getting the RawMaterial • 113

Spirit to guide your thinking, leading you into truth. Put yourself on the forging block, inviting the Spirit to shape you into the image of Christ, like a metallurgist forming a brass nozzle from scrap metal. Spend a moment considering the grandeur of his Kingdom, and your relatively small role in his giant plan for the ages. This will help you place the size of your problems in proper perspective. Ask God to remind you that all the answers in life are outside of your mind and body (the truth is not to be found within). Sometimes this step can be done in a few seconds, and other times you may find it difficult to give God control of your life. Pray Subordinately until you can say, “yes” to God’s will, no matter what it means. Give him a blank check, even it if takes a little time. Gather Subjectively The next step is to gather an inventory of your feelings. Sometimes people downplay their feelings because they know emotions can deceive them, leading them away from truth. But feelings are very important because they show you where your beliefs are hidden. Emotions are like a Geiger counter, revealing toxic beliefs that need to be re-forged. Uncovering your beliefs is important in the process of forging identity. One time I took my car to Bob, our mechanic, when my “check engine” light came on. Bob looked at it the dashboard and told me, “I know how to fix that at no cost to you.” Intrigued, I asked him to explain. He went to his office, pulled out a roll of black electrical tape, tore off a small piece, and covered the dashboard light so it was no longer visible. Bob’s method of car repair is how many of us deal with our feelings.