People who are raised in a nurturing environment tend to perceive God as a loving Father. However when you are raised in a destructive household our view of God becomes twisted. Renewing the mind in its simplest term, is learning to see God as He is, a Loving Holy Father. Being adopted by God does not instantly heal a wounded soul. What it does, is give a wounded child the ability to start the healing process, with God the Father leading the way through the Holy Spirit. Fellowship and worship will strengthen you during your journey. Just make sure to keep your eyes on God, for all men fall short.
You brought my inner parts into being; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely. Psalm 139:13-14 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:73-74 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Our true value is not based on our behavior or the approval of others, but on what God’s Word says is true of us.
Robert S. McGee , The Search For Significance
Each Child is Unique
A lady I met in jail and I, attended the same church, she made walking with God look easy. I assumed because we both had similar background, we both had the same struggle. I remember crying out to God and asking why walking with Him seemed so easy for others, but I was struggling just to keep my head above the water. God rebuked me pretty quickly, letting me know, I needed to quit trying to manipulate Him and others. I didn’t even realize it was a serious issue. So I asked God to show me when I was being manipulative, boy did the light come on. I began by asking others to forgive me, ever time I caught myself trying to manipulate. It took some practice but eventually, I was able to stop. I later found out the lady and I did not have the same struggle. Her struggle was the love of money and we attended a church that taught God wanted us to be rich. Eventually she got in even more trouble over money.
Give it time
Knowing the nature of God needs to grow from an unsteady shaky mind knowledge to a deep indwelling heart knowledge. All Christian can benefit from renewing of the mind, but for those of us, from damaged families, it is a necessity of survival. Developing a relationship with God will take time and dedication. Remember babies do not come out of the womb walking. Being adopted in Christ is a daily battle with our full grown worldly flesh. Honesty, and a great deal of humility is needed as our relationship with God develops. But remember even when we stumble, because of our older brother Jesus, we have a straight A report card.
I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
In the bible is speak of fruits of the spirit and the works of the flesh. Even though these are spiritual principals the analogy used is a fruit trees. So I wanted to provide a little insight concerning fruit tree’s and the fruit they produce.
Facts:
Fruit trees purchased from nurseries and garden centers are usually 1- to 2-year-old plants. The length of time from planting to fruit bearing varies with the species of fruit, the cultivar, and whether the tree is dwarf or standard. The average bearing age of fruit trees is as follows; apple – 4 to 5 years, sour or tart cherry – 3 to 5 years, pear – 4 to 6 years, and plum – 3 to 5 years.
Richard Jauron, Iowa State University
Spiritual Fruit and Fleshly Works I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are revealed, which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. Galatians 5:16-26