Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind
First tastes of Papa’s music
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:18–20)
Dearest Daughters,
How do we calm our anxious, restless hearts and enter into the peace that makes us children of God? How does one climb out of the downward spiral of worthlessness, depression, anxiety, and loneliness that so many fall into during seasons of life? Scripture points the way:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
So learning how to renew our minds is a key.
Our society is experiencing an unprecedented rise in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and fear. And sadly, the church has not been spared. These battles seem to press particularly hard on women. If the renewal of our how minds is the answer, how do we truly do that?
Did you know that our minds are connected to every cell in our bodies? Because of the brain’s incredible plasticity, we actually have the capacity to redirect our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing through our thoughts and attitudes. The mindset with which we meet any circumstance sends signals that tell our very cells how to respond—what hormones to release, what proteins to create. In short, our thoughts and perspectives literally become a physical part of who we are!
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist, has studied this extensively, and I have enjoyed reading some of her work. She explains that as much as 85% of disease is stress-related, and that negative emotions can actually twist and constrict DNA, shutting down healthy cell function. But she also found that joy, gratitude, love, and appreciation reverse the effect, restoring health—even increasing resistance to disease by hundreds of thousands of times! Science has simply proven what Scripture has declared all along: “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
Some of you remember when your autistic brother Christopher was small and so easily overwhelmed. The smallest thing could send him into a storm of tears and fear. There were days when nothing seemed to reach him. But slowly we learned to notice early on the little signs that told us when a storm was coming. And when we saw them, we’d gently gather him up and carry him into a new space. Because he loved water, we gave him little missions: filling glasses at the table, watering the plants, splashing the ducks, filling the dog bowls, turning on the garden sprinkler. Something about those small acts calmed him. What began as panic slowly turned into peace, even delight.
In time, he began to do it himself. When fear rose, he would pour water for the family or go outside to the animals. The meltdowns faded, and the good habit remained. That is the essence of taking thoughts captive—not arguing endlessly with fear, but redirecting it into gratitude, into prayer, into love, into service.
None of us can do this alone. God has placed us in relationship so that our weaknesses can be filled by the strengths of others. If we were able to perfect ourselves alone, would we not be gods?
Your Uncle Asi once gave this picture: when a diabetic suffers an insulin crash, their perception of the world is distorted; they feel panic and despair. But the solution is not to debate those feelings. It is to give insulin. In the same way, when depression or fear clouds our mind, we must not endlessly argue with the dark narrative it presents. Instead, we must receive the equivalent of an “insulin shot”—a word of truth, a perspective outside ourselves, a reminder from someone who sees clearly when we cannot.
So don’t be ashamed of weakness. Weakness is the very place where grace is meant to enter. The hollow spaces in you are designed to be filled with God Himself, and with the love and strength of His people. When you are joined to Him and to His body, your weakness becomes a channel for love to flow like a river, a place for His strength to be made perfect.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:18–20)
So when fear or condemnation try to define you, remember: God is greater than your heart. You are not left alone to battle your thoughts. His Spirit renews your mind, His people strengthen your soul, and His love transforms even your weakness into glory. Turn aside from those nibbling, chewing thoughts, and enter into serving and loving others! Embrace relationships that bring different perspectives than yours, and the big picture of Jesus will come back into view!
With all my love,
Mom
