Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16
“I desperately need renewal because I feel so lost.”
Those are literal words from my journal.
I jotted them down one week after our move back to the Netherlands four years ago —I tell you, reverse culture shock is a real thing…
The first few days were quite the adjustment. In my previous post, I told you to lay down my life and what it meant in this situation.
Well, there’s a difference between thinking/acting on laying down your life and then actually living it out.
After almost two weeks of being back in the Netherlands, I noticed I was yearning for my “old life” in Toronto, denying the “new life” I was asked to live.
Doing so meant I was disobeying God. After all, He told me to move and now I was refusing to accept and start building a life here.
That’s when, with a torn heart, I started praying for the renewal of my mind.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (at the top of this post) and Ephesians 4:22-24 have been my go-to verses ever since.
In the midst of renewing my mind, I’ve learned there is space for mourning.
Of course, I still have days when I’m super sad about not living in Canada anymore.
Not being part of my church any longer.
Not being able to go on a weekend retreat with my Born to Fly ladies.
And oh, *sigh*, nature, the lakes, perfect summers…
— Okay, I’ll stop!
Then I remember this:
Jesus cries with me, and He walks with me. He makes my path straight and goes before me.
He does the same for you!
Perhaps there are things going on in your business or personal life that require a renewal of the mind too because they’re occupying your brain and preventing you from moving forward.
Then pray this prayer with me:
Lord, I want to submit my life, my problems, my everything to you.
Even though I mourn for things I had to let go that were good, there is joy in the new.
Lord, renew my mind.
Come to me and fill me with Your thoughts.
Amen.
Blessings,
Jane
P.s. Check out our Bible Plan here.
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