Have you ever been so inwardly unsettled that it discolored your entire outlook for a time? It happened to me a couple of weeks ago due to extenuating circumstances in my life. Human spiritual guidance was not readily available so I turned to the Bible for help.

Our Bible study group was concentrating on Romans 12:1-21 which is one of my favorite chapters in the book of Romans. It was verse two, that came to my rescue as it has so many times in my life…Do not conform 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.

God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for us, is to be patient, loving, kind, fair, non-judgmental; qualities He tries to instill in us. Testing this is when our actions are just the opposite and our conscience is clawing at our mind.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…that same mind that’s being clawed…is simply to change your way of thinking. It makes so much sense. But it’s not always easy. When you succeed, you will want to approve God’s perfect will.

By not conforming to the pattern of this world, we are trying to live our lives according to God’s pattern for us. That too, makes so much sense. Who but the one who created us knows what is best for us; knows what will unsettle us; and knows how to get us back on track…His track.

There is so much more to this chapter of Romans that it will probably find it’s way into another blog one of these days.