As we adjust our thinking according to Romans 12:2, we should find ourselves making shifts out of a worldly mindset into a Kingdom mindset. In other words, we move more into thinking like God in our view and response to real life around us.
When we look a one definition of "paradigm", it says this:
"A framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a ... community."
We looked at a couple of images which can be viewed from different perspectives (young lady / old lady, old couple / mexican guitarist) which begins to help us understand the impact of paradigm shift. Here is a cartoon which puts this in a comic view.
We brainstormed a number of situations by which we deal with a difference of perspective or an opportunity to experience a paradigm shift. Some of those examples were: generational, physical challenges, geography, gender, etc. One aspect of shift we are challenged to make is our focus on "sin" rather than the all of the success possibilities we have in God. Imagine that one point of a sin - like a black dot on a white board - that seems to consume us in our lives. We walk around and everything we think or do is tainted by that one little black point of focus. After we ask forgiveness, as 1 John 1:9 states we should, we gives thanks and then refocus on all of the "white" surrounding that "black" dot. Our enemy would love nothing more than to have us focus our attention, energies, time, thoughts on the "black" dot. God would rather have us focus on His goodness, mercy, and grace manifested in our lives. Check out Philippians 4:8!
In our individual growth path with Jesus, we will be challenged in our thinking to grow beyond our current state. This is a GOOD thing because it moves us closer to how God thinks and that's our goal and objective - to be like minded with God as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. As opportunities arise, we can either resist or partner with God in that change - let's partner with zest!
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