Transforming Perspectives: Embracing a 'With God' Mindset

 

Summary

In today's reflection, I shared a personal journey of grappling with feelings of being stretched thin and preoccupied, a state many of us find ourselves in. This morning, I woke up with a mind clouded by looming tasks and concerns, a reminder of the constant battle between our perception of God and the challenges we face. Dallas Willard's insight from "Renovation of the Heart" offers a profound choice: we can either let our view of evil shape our understanding of God, diminishing Him in our eyes, or let our view of God shape our understanding of evil, elevating Him and recognizing His omnipresence and redemptive power in our lives.

Daniel Siegel's research on states of mind provides a framework for understanding how our brains form patterns that influence our perception of the world and ourselves. These states of mind, whether they are of fear, inadequacy, or peace, become self-reinforcing over time. They shape our responses to life's circumstances, often leading us to repeat patterns from our past, even when we believe we've outgrown them.

The invitation today is to cultivate a "with God" state of mind. This mindset transforms our lives by aligning our thoughts with the reality of a God-governed universe. It allows us to face life's challenges with the assurance that we are not alone, as beautifully illustrated in Psalm 23. The Lord is our shepherd, guiding us through life's valleys and leading us to places of rest and restoration. In this state of mind, we find comfort and protection, even in the presence of our enemies, and we are reminded of our acceptance by God, despite rejection from others.

This "with God" state of mind is not just a fleeting moment but a continual presence that follows us like goodness and mercy, ensuring that we are never alone. It is a call to lift our hearts and embrace the transformative power of God's presence in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Choice of Perspective: We face a crucial choice in how we perceive God and evil. By allowing our view of God to shape our understanding of evil, we elevate God and recognize His power to redeem and bring good out of any situation. This perspective shift is essential for a life of faith and trust. [01:27]

2. States of Mind: Our brains form patterns that influence our perception of the world. These states of mind, whether positive or negative, become self-reinforcing. Understanding this can help us break free from negative patterns and cultivate a mindset aligned with God's truth. [03:54]

3. With God State of Mind: Embracing a "with God" state of mind transforms our lives. It aligns our thoughts with the reality of a God-governed universe, allowing us to face challenges with assurance and peace, knowing we are not alone. [06:52]

4. Psalm 23 as a Model: Psalm 23 provides a beautiful example of living in a "with God" state of mind. It reminds us that God is our shepherd, guiding us through life's valleys and leading us to places of rest and restoration. [08:47]

5. Continual Presence: The "with God" state of mind is a continual presence that follows us like goodness and mercy. It ensures that we are never alone and calls us to lift our hearts and embrace God's transformative power in every aspect of our lives. [10:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Personal Reflection
- [01:12] - Dallas Willard's Insight
- [01:55] - Understanding States of Mind
- [02:42] - Patterns and Perceptions
- [03:37] - Self-Reinforcing States
- [04:33] - Returning to Old Patterns
- [05:13] - Example of State Change
- [06:05] - Fearful State of Mind
- [06:52] - Invitation to a With God State
- [07:29] - Transformation Through God
- [08:33] - Psalm 23: A Model of Trust
- [09:18] - Facing Life's Valleys
- [10:04] - Acceptance and Overflow
- [10:31] - Continual Presence and Future Hope

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 23 describe about the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep? How does this imagery relate to our understanding of God? [08:47]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two choices we have when facing evil and suffering? [01:27]
3. How does Daniel Siegel's concept of "states of mind" relate to our daily experiences and perceptions? [01:55]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the choice of allowing our view of God to shape our understanding of evil elevate our perception of God? [01:27]
2. In what ways can the "with God" state of mind transform our responses to life's challenges, according to the sermon? [06:52]
3. How does Psalm 23 illustrate the concept of a "with God" state of mind, and what does it suggest about God's presence in our lives? [08:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. How might adopting a "with God" state of mind have changed your response? [06:52]
2. Identify a negative pattern or state of mind that you often fall into. What steps can you take to align this pattern with God's truth? [03:54]
3. How can you practically remind yourself of God's continual presence in your daily routine, especially during challenging times? [10:31]
4. Think of a time when you allowed your view of evil to shape your understanding of God. How can you shift this perspective in future situations? [01:27]
5. Psalm 23 speaks of God leading us to places of rest and restoration. What are some practical ways you can seek rest and restoration in your life this week? [09:02]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that recognizes God's acceptance, even when facing rejection from others? [10:04]
7. Consider the role of gratitude in maintaining a "with God" state of mind. What are three things you can be grateful for today that remind you of God's goodness and mercy? [10:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing God's Perspective Over Evil
In life, we often face the choice of how we perceive God and evil. This choice is crucial because it shapes our understanding of the world and our faith. By allowing our view of God to shape our understanding of evil, we elevate God and recognize His power to redeem and bring good out of any situation. This perspective shift is essential for a life of faith and trust. When we focus on God's omnipresence and redemptive power, we can face challenges with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that He is greater than any evil we encounter. [01:27]

"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or fear in your life. How can you intentionally choose to see it through the lens of God's power and presence today?


Day 2: Understanding and Transforming States of Mind
Our brains form patterns that influence our perception of the world, and these states of mind, whether positive or negative, become self-reinforcing. Understanding this can help us break free from negative patterns and cultivate a mindset aligned with God's truth. By recognizing the patterns that lead us to fear or inadequacy, we can begin to transform them into states of peace and assurance. This transformation requires intentionality and a willingness to align our thoughts with God's promises and truth. [03:54]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a negative thought pattern you often fall into. What is one practical step you can take today to renew your mind and align it with God's truth?


Day 3: Embracing a "With God" State of Mind
Embracing a "with God" state of mind transforms our lives by aligning our thoughts with the reality of a God-governed universe. This mindset allows us to face challenges with assurance and peace, knowing we are not alone. It is an invitation to live in constant awareness of God's presence, which brings comfort and guidance in every situation. By cultivating this state of mind, we can experience the transformative power of God's presence in our daily lives. [06:52]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can remind yourself of God's presence throughout your day today? Consider setting a reminder or creating a visual cue.


Day 4: Psalm 23 as a Model of Trust
Psalm 23 provides a beautiful example of living in a "with God" state of mind. It reminds us that God is our shepherd, guiding us through life's valleys and leading us to places of rest and restoration. This psalm illustrates the peace and assurance that come from trusting in God's guidance and provision. By meditating on this passage, we can deepen our trust in God's ability to lead us through difficult times and into places of renewal. [08:47]

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:1-3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's guidance and provision in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him in your current circumstances?


Day 5: Continual Presence of God
The "with God" state of mind is a continual presence that follows us like goodness and mercy. It ensures that we are never alone and calls us to lift our hearts and embrace God's transformative power in every aspect of our lives. This continual presence is a source of hope and strength, reminding us that God's goodness and mercy are always with us, even in the midst of challenges. By embracing this truth, we can live with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that God is always by our side. [10:31]

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's continual presence in your life today? Consider starting or ending your day with a prayer of gratitude for His goodness and mercy.

Quotes

"When I face difficulty, evil, suffering in human life in the world at large or my own little life, I will either allow evil, my view of evil, to determine my view of God and cut Him down accordingly, or I will allow my view of God to determine my view of evil and elevate God accordingly, recognizing that He is fully present in my life and in this world and there is nothing beyond the power of God to redeem and bring good out of." [00:01:12]

"He raises in his research the question, how can billions of neurons with trillions of firings and connections be organized so that we have some kind of a coherent, manageable pattern, a way of looking at the world and of ourselves? And he proposes the way that you understand that is to talk about what he calls states of mind. He says a state of mind can be defined as the total pattern of activation in the brain at a particular moment in time." [00:01:55]

"At every moment in our life, we are experiencing what Daniel Siegel calls a state of mind. And then where this gets particularly important is that those states of mind, the more often they're experienced, become kind of self-reinforcing. They become more likely to be re-experienced. Our neurons work that way. It's a bit, he says, like if you're up on top of a hill and you look down below and you see there's a pond on there but it's all tall grass." [00:03:37]

"Now the invitation that you and I face today, that I face right now, is to have a with God state of mind. And this is a really good thing. I was playing golf with my friend Gary yesterday. He was talking about sometimes it just feels hard to follow God, to want to offer obedience, to have to surrender, to give up stuff just feels like difficulty." [00:06:52]

"Dallas writes the effect of standing before God by welcoming Him before us will be the transformation of our life. All else that encounters that enters our mind, and especially the thoughts that first come to mind as we encounter various kind of events that make up our lives, will be healthy, godly, and good. The conclusions we jump to, prompted by events, will be those in harmony with the realities of a good, God-governed universe." [00:07:29]

"Take a moment right now to enter into a with God state of mind, where my view of God determines my view of evil, suffering, pain, the events of my life, and the beautiful example of this is the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd, I am not on my own, I am not inadequate to face what life throws at me because I don't face it by myself." [00:08:33]

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness and doing right things. My behavioral set that's available to this state of mind is quite restful and quite good. Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you are with me." [00:09:18]

"I do not live in a fearful state of mind even though terrible things may and do happen in this world because I am not alone, because the God who watches over those little birds that are singing right now is also the God that watches over me. Your rod and your staff, your presence and your protection comfort and guide me." [00:10:04]

"You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies. There are people who are hard for me to deal with, but you are right there so my stomach is not troubled. I am able to eat and even invite my enemies to the table if I'm having a particularly good day with you. Anoint my head with oil, you remind me in the pain of being rejected by others that I am accepted by you." [00:10:31]

"Surely goodness and mercy follow me like a couple of little sheep dogs at my heels all the days of my life, not some of the days, not the good days, and then I have a future. I will be with you forever. That is the with God state of mind." [00:11:44]

"Lift up your hearts." [00:10:47]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jun 01, 2022. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?