Have you ever found yourself wishing you could just start over? Have you wished for a restart button that would let you put aside all of your anxiety, fear, painful memories and concern for the future and start anew? Easter is a great time to reflect on what Jesus did for you on the cross to redeem you. God made a way for you to restart by freeing you of the burdens that weigh you down. This transformation happens by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).
Easter reminds us that we have a living Savior who can heal your brokenness and despair and replace it with hope. This new life starts with the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus on the first Easter. After embracing that grace, you should allow the Holy Spirit to begin transforming you from the inside – renewing your mind. Here are some strategies you can use for self-reflection and prayer during this Lenten and Easter season that will allow you to move forward with hope, forgiveness and happiness.
Pinpoint the Change Needed
First, figure out what you need to change, specifically. Are you stuck in a fixed mindset or as scripture says “conformed to the pattern of this world?” Psychology Central warns that a fixed mindset seriously limits your growth and focuses on your shortcomings or failure. Think about what you can do to fuel your growth instead. Do you have a negative attitude because you're feeling lonely? Use your energy to make some friends. Find the source of the problem, the underlying attitude or issue, and start praying that God will guide you to wise counsel and a solution to the problem. Keep an open mind about what the source might be – it is often a “heart problem” rather than a behavior problem or situation.
Learn to Laugh
Sometimes, all it takes to change from a negative mindset to a positive one is a little bit of laughter. Grab your favorite comedy movie, or look up some funny videos on YouTube. Spend some time laughing, and you will see your mindset grow from negative to positive.
Grab a New Perspective
Sometimes we face a problem with a negative mindset because we only think about it one way. Looking at the problem from a new point of view can greatly change our mindset.
For instance, if you are dealing with work and school deadlines that feel impossible to attain, you may be tempted to complain and wish it would all just go away. Instead, view the deadlines as a challenge, and imagine the rewarding feeling of finishing the deadline on time. That simple change in perspective may be all you need to do to get yourself back on track.
Count Your Blessings
Everyone has challenges, but everyone has blessings too. Take time now to count those blessings. Your life is pretty amazing if you are able to find those things to be grateful for. Make a list of those blessings, and you will find yourself in a more positive mindset.
Change Your Way of Talking
Is your speech negative? Is it focused on your failures instead of your accomplishments? Is it filled with “can’ts” rather than on “cans?” Start changing the way you speak and you can be rewarded with greater joy and be an encouragement (salt and light) to others. Speak of hope, certainty and accomplishments rather than fear, worry and failure. To paraphrase the lyrics of the popular song by Christian musician Toby Mac, “Speak hope – speak love – speak life!” Your words have a huge impact on your attitude and emotions, so this is a great way to change your mindset as you focus on a new life this Easter.
Easter is the time remember that our God is a God of second chances. Even if things look bleak and you’ve been knocked down, God can renew your hope and transform you through the renewing of your mind. For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your personal and career goals, contact us at 855-979-5563 or web@geneva.edu.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Apr 11, 2017
Faithful Doubt: Habakkuk, written by pastor Travis Scott, explores the short prophetic book of Habakkuk, in a practical and meaningful way through the lens of a doubter. Travis approaches the passage of scripture from an honest and humble perspective, recalling difficulties experienced as a husband, father, and pastor.
Our perspective of ourselves can impact the beauty and value we see there. This view can end up being very different from how God and others see us. When we look at ourselves, we tend to see all the qualities that we dislike. But we need to adjust our perspective and make sure we are using the lens of Christ.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
When someone shows us mercy, they are not giving us the punishment that we deserve. Jesus models this action for us in multiple ways. The importance of the exhibition of mercy by Christians is displayed throughout the New Testament, and there are many ways for us to show mercy daily.
In a world that has been impacted by sin, there is always more that can be done to ensure a mindset of good stewardship and redemption. It starts with understanding that God intends to connect man’s physical existence with the environment from which he was brought forth and continues with educating people with sensible information.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Yet sometimes, when the world seems to be in crisis all around you, resting in the Lord seems nearly impossible. With worldwide pandemics, civil unrest, and violence on every news headline today, how can you turn your focus to the Lord and find your hope in Him? In the year of COVID, you may find that your stress and anxiety levels are higher than normal. How should you respond?
Find a semblance of balance by planning when and how you will take advantage of your newfound sense of freedom.
On this National Day of Prayer in the United States, we remember our students in their finals week taking exams, finishing papers and closing out the semester at home. We are thankful that God has provided them and entrusted them into our care during their college years. We pray God will uphold us in this task and them in their challenges.
College is more than just a place to continue your education after high school. The time you spend at college will change and shape you in ways you could never imagine.
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