Think Again!

90 • Think Again: Transformation That Yields a Return on God’s Investment

But most of the time we don’t want daring adventures. We prefer stability and clarity. We resist a life of upheaval and disorientation. We find uncertainty frustrating. We want to know where we are going so we can exercise control over our lives. In fact, much of our prayers and efforts are focused on how to manage our circumstances, to keep our house in order. But God can use disorientation to start new trajectories in our lives, to re-orient us with new dependence on him. Instead of controlling our circumstances, we need to put more effort into taking control of our thinking . We leave the doors of our minds wide open, allowing any stray idea to come in. Then when the idea runs rampant, we cry out to God to get the critter out of our house. The better strategy is to control unwanted entry, never allowing the pest into our minds in the first place. Weapons of the Flesh Paul says there are two ways to deal with the problems of life: 1) by the flesh or 2) with weapons having divine power. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Cor. 10.4). Dealing with life by the flesh is evident when we live as though everything is on our shoulders, believing we must be in control all the time. We act in our own strength, as if there were no God. We attempt to make life turn out the way we want, rather than simply doing what is right and trusting God with the results. We frantically manage our circumstances with gritted teeth and selfish determination. This results in factions and divisions, in power struggles, in competing for influence and possessions (Gal. 5.19-21; James 3.14-16). In the end we are left with inferiority, insecurity, inadequacy, guilt, worry, and doubt. By-the-flesh living leaves us bitter, depressed, angry, hyper-sensitive, and distrustful. 51