August 2016 Part I — A Mood Therapy Handbook - "Come, follow me, Jesus said". Paul's words to the Ephesians in 4:22 . . .put off the old self to be made new in the attitude of your mind, and put on the new self.

7 Minute Read Bible Verses NIV

"ATTITUDE OF YOUR MIND"

Becoming a Better Disciple of Christ

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, . . .” – Matthew 4:19

Part I

When Jesus Christ spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus, his mind, attitude, and career was changed. He then began his life long mission, to transform the minds and attitudes of those that would listen (Acts 9:1-20). To the Romans he said, “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. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul asked them to, “. . . put off your old self . . . to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self . . . created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” – Ephesians 4:22-23.

Jesus also transformed the twelve disciples character, including changing their careers; and they never turned back like other disciples (John 6:66). On their quests to follow Jesus, they were learning what he thought was important in life. They did this by observing and listening to him 24/7. Only eleven grew in their relationship with Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John’s recording in the gospels have become a blessing to all Christians – they were the great disciples of Christ. Do you want to change (be transformed), to be a better disciple of Christ? If “yes,” you are probably working on your relationship with God. If “no,” I ask you to reconsider – all God’s children have something to work on – Jesus was the only perfect person. As you grow in your relationship, you want transformation to happen and please God.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Christ.” - 1Corinthians 3:11

Receiving a call from someone in psychic pain, I ask that they explain the reason for seeking therapy. During the initial session, I determine their diagnosis. The diagnosis may require utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), to assist my non-Christian clients'. Cognitive means your thoughts, which causes your behavior. CBT reduces their symptoms and transforms them to a life of happiness. I also provide tools to face future challenges appropriately. With their permission, I use Christian Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CCBT), to assist my Christian clients in transformation. Identifying with the mind of Christ is the foundation for CCBT. CCBT is my three step technique of prayer, process, and practice – PPP. I believe prayer is imperative to change. It’s the reasoning for prayer being the first step of the PPP, to renew your mind. Paul mentions when to pray, by telling the Thessalonians to . . . “pray continually;” . . . (1Thessalonians 5:17). You may use the CCBT technique, to transform your character, mind, and attitude, or determine it’s time to seek professional assistance.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” – John 1:1-2

Jesus is the Word. I hope you know that your declaration of believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior begins with a relationship of trust; and does not mean life becomes exuberant, or without problems. Your journey as a Christian is a very important relationship with Jesus and God. It’s very personal, in that God is omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent (Holman, 1991):

omnipresent is to say that God is present everywhere in the world at once
the omniscience God knows you intimately; your past, present and future
an omnipotent God has the ability and power to do anything; nothing is impossible with God

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” – Hebrews 4:13. Therefore, being more like Jesus should be the beginning of all your thoughts, language, and attitude.

Your communication, mind, and attitude are unique to you; and are front and center in your transformation to coming closer to God. Your attitude of your mind consists of:

your response to a certain idea, object, person, or situation
how it influences your behavior
your reaction to challenges, incentives, and rewards

When you think about this definition, you can see how your attitude is composed of your:

beliefs
feelings
reaction to a situation, or event (past or present)
positive, or negative thoughts

“. . . be transformed . . .” – Romans 12:2

Transformation means changing things about yourself that displease God. Changing a negative way of thinking, speaking, and behaving is not easy. To consider a change, you have to examine all aspects of yourself. One of my favorite writers Oswald Chambers (1982) states, “Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.” Dealing with God about everything can not be accomplished without the inclusion of the Holy Spirit. Change happens through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor; and asking God to shed light on everything about you. “. . . no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” – 1Corinthians 2:9-10.

Because of God’s unconditional love for you, the Holy Spirit is the conduit to knowing what God wants you to change. It pleases God and is His will, when you are working towards being more like Jesus. The end result of working towards transformation is a life of peace; with Jesus as your constant companion and the Holy Spirit directing you. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior and my hope is in you all day long” – Psalms 25:4.

Besides the Holy Spirit, there is the addition of your bible/spiritual knowledge of Christ, as the foundation of your Christian life. You want to absorb all you can, for personal growth and transformation. Bible knowledge is given by reading and studying the scriptures. The words of God will reveal the truth about you through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit reveals the truth – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth” – John 16:13. “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” – 1Corinthians 2:10. Because of your love for Christ, the Holy Spirit has brought you to this time, to reveal things God wants you to change – to put on the new self.

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart . . .” – Matt 15:18

To acknowledge any of your flaws, it’s important that you consider what’s in your heart. God is very interested in the heart of His children. 1Samuel 16:7. . . “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The apostle Luke (6:45) records Jesus saying, “For of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks”; and Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active . . . ; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Proverbs 27:19 states that what’s in your heart is reflected in your face – “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Smiling and harsh facial expressions are from the heart and mind revealing an automatic process.

“. . . if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

CBT specialists know that negative thoughts can result in clients experiencing sorrow in their lives – no peace. Thoughts can be automatic. An automatic thought is a thought that occurs without your awareness (Sharf, 2000). Automatic thoughts come and go in seconds, and are sometimes not remembered. An example of automatic thoughts are the ones you have when driving a car, or riding a bike. Once you learned how, you can do both while focusing on other things.

Unless the automatic thought is focused upon, it will not be recognized and changed, due to the power of the brain. Having a critical thought process is not of God. The apostle Paul made this fact very clear in his letter to the Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Individuals do not recognize their critical thoughts. They also do not understand how this relates to what’s in their heart.

“The tongue . . . it corrupts the whole person . . .” – James 3:6

Negative automatic thoughts (distortions), produce negative statements – the critical voice, which is also automatic. Some individuals may experience a negative event, and do not believe it has changed them. They also do not recognize the negativity in how they relate to people; and deny their ungodly attitude is based on not working out/resolving negative events that stayed within the heart. Below are a few distortions and critical statements:

“You idiot, you ruined my whole carpet!!” This was said, while screaming and with a chuckle/laugh, when anything was spilled on the carpet. A carpet can be cleaned, but a negative statement spoken to a spouse, child, or friend can be very damaging to the relationship. Negative name calling gives children low self-esteem, and adults feel unloved. Is the carpet more important than the relationship and tearing down the confidence in another person?
I’m worthless
I will never be happy
He/she is stupid, they don’t know nothing
You will never be anything
He/she doesn’t like you, if they did they would do _____.
I have to do everything perfectly
Why me?
I know what you/they are thinking
Things will never get better
You/I will always be _______
I’m a loser that’s why I will never get married, no one wants me
I woke up late; it’s going to be a bad day
I’m a failure,” or to someone else, he/she’s a jerk
Don’t you have something better to do?
He/she should help me
You will never change/I can never change

(More examples of the critical voice, thoughts, defenses, and attitudes are presented in Part II article).

. . . “But we have the mind of Christ.” – 1Corinthians 2:16

When you identify as a Christian first, you accomplish a great step to transformation. You want to conquer this step, to becoming more like Christ. Psychologists know that identity is very important (race, ethnicity, and culture), but I see these as secondary for a Christian. When allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart, to the point that the Holy Spirit is allowed to prompt you constantly; you make the appropriate turn to go down the right road. Your mind will then follow your heart, to lead you to Godly thoughts, tongue, and attitude. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” “But we have the mind of Christ” – 1Corinthians 2:16.

To be changed, you must examine your heart, mind, defense(s), and attitude(s), and what you say to yourself and others. Your journey begins with a commitment to pray continually asking God, through the Holy Spirit, to bring to light what needs to change (1st P). The ultimate goal is being transformed, to be renewed in how you approach the challenges of life. The new self will have you responding to challenges in a Godly manner; and growing into the man, or woman God planned for you to be.

Until Part II – Give God the Glory,

Dr. Terri L. Thompson