Insight: Change the Way You Think, Part 2

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Insights are short, biblical truths to equip you to lead from your strengths

Change the Way You Think, Part 2 of 2

“What is God’s will for my life?”

Like most of us, you’ve been drawn to that question. And you have likely have sought answers.

thinking man

Image: Write on New Jersey

If God would simply send you a memo outlining His instructions and the end result He’d like you to accomplish, then you could create a plan, work the plan, and finish the race.

If only it were that easy!

Then there are well-meaning Christian friends who say, “God has a plan for your life. Find it in His Book.”

But on what page in the Bible does God tell you what person to marry … which job to take … which family members to visit at Christmas?

Specifics, please!

Here’s An Insight

Here’s an insight about God’s will for your life: some of it is revealed. Some of it is unrevealed.

When you say you’d like to know God’s will for your life, what you are really saying is that you’d like the answers to your questions to be in the “revealed will” camp.

But what if you’re resisting God’s will for your life without even knowing it?

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT).

When you change the way you think, Paul says, you will learn God’s will for you.

Consider what this means in your relationships. When you change the way you think about differences, you can discern the next step in God’s purposes for your relationships.

As you shift your thinking from judging differences in others to valuing differences in others, you begin to see their strengths. You begin to recognize God’s design for differences in the relationships in your life. Your strengths fill a certain needs on your team, in your family, and in your community. Your team members have strengths that meet other needs. Your spouse and family members, too, have strengths that complete yours. Others in your community add to the strengths you possess.

And you discover ways to blend those strengths.

When it comes to God’s will for you in your relationships, God may not outline specifics in black and white on a certain page of His book.

But specifics about God’s will for your life come when you obey the specific command He has revealed: to change the way you think.

And that’s a good memo.

(Read Change the Way You Think, Part 1)

Now How Shall I Live?

  • On a piece of paper, list 2 or 3 key people in your work life, family, or community.
  • Ask God to reveal the strengths He instilled in each of those individuals.
  • As God change the way you think about these people.
  • Listen to His response. Record what God tells you about their strengths.

Discover your strengths when you take the Leading From Your Strengths profile.

More Insights About Strengths

Change the Way You Think, Part 1

Parenting Insight: What’s Your True Parenting Insurance Policy?

Do You Know Your Strengths … Or Are You Just a Know-It-All?

Renewing Your Mind Means Choosing With Your Head

Changing Your Heart Means Giving God Access

Using Your Hands Means More than “Just Do It”

Strengths Are Given In the Image of God