IMAGE (pt. 2): Renew Your Mind
Last week was heavy. On the blog, there was much discussion about the image lies that sisters have believed—and, to some extent, still believe. The stories are painful. The hurt is real. The lies run deep.
But praise God, there’s no deep place that God can’t reach. There’s no hurt He can’t heal. Jesus changes everything.
As I prepared for part two of this study, I went from feeling sad about the stories to rejoicing over the truth that sets us free. We don’t have to remain captive to lies we’ve been told. Instead, armed with truth, we can turn the tables and take the lies captive unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
My own mind has been renewed as I’ve studied and meditated on true image. I encourage you to not only watch this video but to share it with other women. (You would be surprised how many have been affected by image lies.) The overarching message of the video is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Apart from Jesus, we cannot hope to walk in the truth. But in salvation is healing and restoration and freedom. Renewing our minds is key to that journey.
Although the video may not come through in the emails, I’m including it within the post for the sake of the blog. If you’re receiving this in your inbox, the link to the video is HERE.
After the video, feel free to discuss whatever strikes you in the comment section. But here are some starter questions:
Prior to knowing Jesus, did you measure yourself against others, or maybe even tear down others in order to build up yourself, for the sake of image?
Can you tell that you’re being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Jesus? If so, how?
48 Responses to “IMAGE (pt. 2): Renew Your Mind”
Good Morning Kim!!! Oh my, but that video was goooood!!! Amen, Sister!!! “We just have to renew our minds, and believe it!!!” THAT is what its all about. We have to exchange the lie for the truth and we have to trust that the image of Christ being formed in us moment by moment really will bring satisfaction and joy and LIFE!!!!
“But praise God, there’s no deep place that God can’t reach. There’s no hurt He can’t heal. Jesus changes everything.” I just want to sit on this truth for a looonnggg while. “Jesus changes EVERYTHING.” Those words are like oil on wounds of the soul. “Jesus changes everything!!!”
LORD Jesus, please, by the power of your Holy Spirit at work in us, bring healing and truth to all of us here. Bind the wounds, pour our your healing truth and love on the wounds of my sisters and give them a glimpse of how beautiful you know them to be and how beautiful you are making them as the are transformed into your image — from glory onto glory. Give them the power to CHOOSE to believe You over the lies of the enemies (world,flesh,evil one) who come to steal their true identity in You. Ah Lord, may they radiate you and know wonderful joy in that.
Hugs Kim and all you beautiful sisters…
Love you
Debbie
“pour *out Your healing”
Amen.
Debbie, what a beautiful, powerful prayer…I prayed the words in agreement with you for all of our sisters. We *know* this is true, that there is power and healing in Jesus. And we know there is power in prayer. So I’m praying believing that as God moved me to do this image study and already knew how many were hurting out there, He will mightily use our prayers for our blog sisters to bring them to a place of freedom from the lies. Lord, let it be so! “…we have to trust that the image of Christ being formed in us moment by moment really will bring satisfaction and joy and LIFE!!!!”….YES and AMEN!!! Lord, let THAT image, the TRUE image, be the image we desire and treasure, the image that overpowers the lies because of it’s divine, eternal nature!
I tell you, I’ve been basking in the glory of Jesus all weekend. I want to sit looonnggg on the truth as well that Jesus changes EVERYTHING! Hugs to you too, Debbie, and thank you for your heart for all of us sisters!
Oh, Debbie – that was an awesome, Spirit-filled prayer! Wow, wow, and wow – praying it and letting it sink in for me and all the Sisters here. Love you!
Out of the gate, your words took aim, Kim. Debbie highlighted something you said, “…there’s no deep place that God can’t reach.” That was gold. A truth that I will meditate on today.
To your first question, I can only say that prior to knowing Jesus, I was in survival mode. This, of course, is related to my story. Regarding your second question, my answer is YES. I can tell. How? The love deposits made by the Holy Spirit are replacing the withdrawals made by self, others and the world at large. I am changed and constantly becoming. Being rewritten, if that makes sense. The words originally scripted for me are now appreciated and being seen clearly.
More later…
Blessings to everyone! Let’s take the mind of Christ with us today and every day. (If we take His mind in the new and in the now, then we no longer need to cling to the old.). I love you all in the LORD.
Kim, yes, definitely….survival mode, for sure. And praise God you not only survived but you are thriving in Christ and overflowing in grace. That, my sister, is VICTORY….praising God! “The love deposits made by the Holy Spirit are replacing the withdrawals made by self, others and the world at large”…THAT. IS. GOOD. And nobody makes love deposits like the Holy Spirit! Nobody can CHANGE us from the core like the Holy Spirit. “Being rewritten” makes total sense…everything is “re…” Recreated, renewed, reborn”….”rewritten” fits right in. Beautiful!
Taking His mind, clinging to God and not the old…. Love you too, sis!
Re, Re, Re—–THAT IS GOOD!!!! God already knew the damage that would be done and He knew He’d have to “REdo” a lot of stuff and undo some others. Awestruck!
“REdo”…that’s a good one! I wonder how many more “Re’s” we can come up with! :)
Restoring…..reprogramming (appropriate for our technologically-oriented society, no?!) :)
Love these too! “Reprogramming”…we definitely have a visual for that! Lord, reprogram my mind!
WOW!!! Good morning! What another power packed video. This goes right in line with the issue I am conquering through fasting this week with my bible study group. Self-esteem is one of the issues but I prefer to call it God esteem. :) I will be sure to forward the video to my group. A few of us are dealing with this.
Now for the answers to the questions. Yes, I have been SO mentally guilty of tearing down others to build myself up. I do this when I feel threatened in some area or another. Over the weekend, I told God that I was tired of doing that because it’s not Godly and I don’t want to fight the mental battle in my mind of not feeling good enough. I no longer wanted to compare myself to ANYBODY for ANY REASON!!! I no longer want to build myself up that way OR tear myself down that way (because I was good at that too). God, in all of His eloquence and knowing just what to say to me and how to say it, said to me “Well stop looking at people like that then. This (waving hands between us) is just Me and you!” LOL I am laughing because I got it, bad grammar and all! I got it! After He said that, I would say in my head “NO!” or “STOP IT!” every time I began to look at someone and compare them to me in either way—either to build myself up (tearing them down ) OR to tear myself down (exalt them over me). OMGoodness I didn’t realize how many times a day I did this! The Word tells us not to regard anyone after the flesh and I am going to get to the point where I see myself and others as God sees us—Him living on the inside of them and me.
While driving down the road Saturday afternoon, I was meditating on “this is the year of transformation.” I have declared this over myself this year because I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that it was time to go deep. As I was thinking on that, I heard “by ye transformed….” Now, that blew me away!!! And to hear it be the topic of this week???????!!!!!!!! Beautimous, just beautimous! My transformation is going to start in my MIND!!!!!
And finally, I have another scripture to add to the ones I’m already meditating on this week: 2 Corinthians 3:18. Oooooh we, thanks for that one.
Good Morning, Tamara! I love that you’re hitting this issue hard in your bible study group too! Your mind is surely being renewed, and you are surely being transformed. :-) I so appreciate your honesty about tearing down others to build yourself up when you feel threatened in an area. That’s not something we want to necessarily admit even to ourselves, and yet, if we thought about it, we’ve done this even in subtle ways. I love how you turned it around too… “OR to tear myself down (exalt them over me)”…we know from the discussion last week that we do this too often as well. It’s awesome that you hear when God “in all of His eloquence” lets you know what you’re doing…and that you need to stop. :-) (I love those moments because only God can get our attention that way.) “My transformation is going to start in my MIND!!!!!”….yep, that’s where it has to start, and I’m rejoicing with you over what God is doing and will do….I join with you in declaring it “beautimous!”
I believe we are all being changed….
Renewed mind
Hey Kim and my blog family!
Going from last week and rejecting the lies of the enemy to this week renewing my mind is so helpful. I can really rejoice in Jesus! For a min there I forgot who I am and WHOSE I AM. Kim I love how you reminded me of the gospel and how that ties into my life from the video. I am a part of a Christian sorority and our motto verse is 2 Cor. 3:18. Our motto is “As in a mirror” as well. So hearing the verse in this context is huge. I am made in his image and he is transforming me from glory to glory!!!! That just pumps me up. The Lord has done major work in my heart and life. Before knowing him I would to a certain extent measure myself to other people and how they looked. Since then I have begun to realize my value and worth in Christ. I know he is transforming me because I no longer look at others and get jealous of them because they have flawless skin or have nicer cloths etc; instead I celebrate what God made them and blessed them with. I am beginning to see it’s not a competition but we are all his masterpieces. I am just going to meditate on his word which is truth and strength! Love y’all have a fabulous week!!!!!! Thanks Kim!!!!
Hey Felecia! I’m rejoicing that you’re rejoicing! You’ve been through so much with the image lies, and I was definitely praying for you last week. So awesome that you’re pumped up as you think about being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Christ. I’m praising Him for the way He has renewed your mind in how you think about others and yourself. He is truly restoring your soul, doing that deep work that only He can do. Yes, sis, keep meditating on His word and taking the lies captive. You are HIS! Love you too!
Good afternoon, Sisters! Mmmmmm, another powerful video here, Kim. I loved the part when you said that Jesus WAS the image of God – YES! And since we are one in Him, than WE are the image of God, too! I know many of us have grown up hearing that in church, Sunday school, etc. but it is so easy to lose sight of that in the world, as last blog’s messages made so painfully clear.
The renewal of the mind is awesome – once we finally give up control and let God do all those “REs” (loving that, by the way!), we truly become new creations and it is fantastic!
Now, to the questions…….
Yes, I did definitely measure myself against others, and still do to a large extent. I’m a work in progress – perpetually in the crucible! LOL And yes, as I mentioned in my last post, I am so terribly guilty of tearing down others to make myself feel better. It’s something that I have become very aware of in recent years, and am making a concerted effort to work on. Tam, I am right with you, girl – it is frightening how many times a day I do that. Sad.
Now, I CAN tell that I am being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Jesus….praise God, I am learning that I don’t NEED to worry about the world or anyone in it (still a work in progress here, too :), that all I need is God. It is so true that I CAN do all things through Christ – He is my everything and all that I need. When I think back through all the times in my life that should have, could have, would have crushed me BUT for God’s faithfulness, I am transformed. He is awesome. Every new day He grants me is another opportunity to become more like Him. Even when I stumble – every day – I still get another chance….like the song “I fall down, but I get up.” Praise God that He never gives up on me, or us!
Hey Danielle! Oh, aren’t we all works in progress! I love this…”perpetually in the crucible”…ha! Indeed! I’m so glad we’re having this discussion of tearing down others…not just before Christ, but even our tendency to do that now…although now it might be more “refined” and subtle in our thoughts. Now that you and Tamara have mentioned this, I want to really pay attention to when I “go there” in my mind.
“When I think back through all the times in my life that should have, could have, would have crushed me BUT for God’s faithfulness, I am transformed”….whew! That’s a blog discussion in itself! So many reasons to give thanks, and so much transformation that happens in those times. “Every new day He grants me is another opportunity to become more like Him”…love this too. That’s something to give particular thought to each day…what opportunity is being presented to be more like Him. Of course, I’m sure it’ll be a crucible flesh-crushing opportunity ;-)….but if I think about it as, “I’m becoming more like Him”…that’s just awesome.
And I do want to touch on your first point because I think it’s important. Jesus IS the image of God; we were *made* in the image of God, and a fallen image at that, because of Adam, as you know. We are one in Christ, but we are not THE image of God. In other words, we have not yet been perfected, as Jesus is. That 2 Cor. 3:18 is key…we are being transformed into His image from glory to glory, which will be complete when we see Him (the 1 John verse). Hope that makes sense….:-)
Loving these discussions and our conscious effort to shake off the world’s image ways and walk in the true image of Christ. “Praise God that He never gives up on me, or us!”….amen!
I’ve watched the video three times now. I got a visual of a line drawn down the middle of a page so I did it. On one side, I listed the image of Christ. On the other side, I listed the image Satan wants us to believe…the counterfeit. I then wrote down items in each side. And it all came down to this for me: Satan wants us to obtain the perfect measure of OUTWARD beauty (your quote). It’s always changing, fleeting and the enemy knows that. It’s all deception. On the opposite side, Christ wants us to obtain the perfect measure of INWARD beauty because those standards never change. I know it’s simple but that’s the way He just broke it down to me. This goes perfectly with the esteem issue!!! Glory! This is better than a PB&J on fresh white bread!
Tamara, I adore you. Not on fresh white bread. :-D
I like your visualization exercise/activity. That’s good! I’ll try it. Thanks.
LOL!! With a cold glass of milk?????? Ooooh, honey!
That exercise really helped me.
Tamara, I LOVE that visual. And I love how God breaks it down for each of us in ways we can understand. “It’s always changing, fleeting and the enemy knows that. It’s all deception”…*nodding* YES, YES, YES! It’s like chasing after the wind, and how many get caught up in chasing after the wind?? And then there’s God, holy and righteous…”Christ wants us to obtain the perfect measure of INWARD beauty because those standards never change”…that’s a praise right there! GLORY indeed! Is there any comparison??? Give me the REAL! Thanks for sharing this!
What a great idea!!!
Ummm…You betta preach!!! Whewww!!! That was a Word for sure!
Thank you so much. These videos are awesome! I just commented on part 1,and still full from that one, now I am overflowing!
I can barely talk right now! That one phrase from scriptue,”one day we shall be like Him”,is amazing! I can hardly grasp it right now, because yes,I know that God is changing me to be more like Him, but there are days when I look at myself and shake my head! That verse gives me hope!
I don’t really recall using the tearing down of others to build myself up…though I am sure I have gone about that process in the wrong way on several occasions.
I do know that God is transforming me, as my desire changes from less of me and more of Him. That message of renewing your mind, is all around me, just this morning, I was listening to a message on the power of thoughts. Our thoughts should reflect the Word and the principles of God. Sometimes that is hard for me, and I realize that it is usually harder, when I have let too many worldy influences in.
Thank you Kim! You are such a blessing!
Kara, I’m praising God that you are moved by the videos! I was moved as well as I meditated on what Jesus has done for us, and yes, that we shall be like Him! Trust me, I shake my head too when I look at myself some days, but we have this blessed assurance of hope….so thankful that HE will accomplish it! “I do know that God is transforming me, as my desire changes from less of me and more of Him”….amen. It’s really something when you can SEE your desires changing, and you know it’s only God. You bless me as well, sis. Thankful for you!
Blog sisters, I uploaded a YouTube video last night and posted it on Facebook this morning, but I know not all of you are on Facebook. So I wanted to share it here (if anyone notices this post right here :)) This is an “outtake” from the video above…just a short one-minute video that’s kind of fun. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNNtygWqTRg
I got the update on my lunch break and it was hilarious!!!! LOL
That was funny….and may I say the fun has only begun!! When I said that going natural was a journey…yeah I am still on that journey and some days…well you know!
Yeah, I know it will be a journey….and as my hair grows out, it’ll take even longer to do than this relaxed hair. So why am I doing this?? lol I know that I know that God has led me down this path, even if purely for the spiritual aspects. So I shall journey on….like you, Kim, Rhonda, Mona and all the other natural blog sisters….just remind me I said this when I get to the awkward growth phase! lol
I will remind you. LOL. This was funny. Your reaction to having to do the video with your “at home” look reminded me of when God wouldn’t allow me to go to a barber to trim my fro after I cut my first set of locs. Whew! That was tough! And I got a comment from a good friend that made me want to go straight to the barbershop, but I had to be obedient. SMH. I got the lesson that He wanted me to get: “Let go of that pride, girl!” This was my lesson and a lot of that stripping away came through my hair journey.
Yes, please do! LOL Ooh, yes, that would be tough….and I know you *knew* it was God! When we KNOW it’s God, we know we’d better not circumvent what He’s saying. Just be obedient. When I heard Him telling me to do the video that day, part of me said, “Okay, I can try to quickly dry my hair and curl it beforehand”….NOT! LOL I knew that would defeat what He was working out in me. I can totally see how a lot of stripping of pride can come through the hair journey. I dealt with some of that my first time around with natural hair….I think it’ll be a lot more this time around. That’s why I’ll need those reminders! :D
Bahahaha… Too funny, Kim. That’s real. (Lovin’ the videos!)
The videos are a journey itself! God is teaching me so much…technically, personally, spiritually….this is one wild, twisty, intersecting, crazy kind of journey…AND IT’S ONLY JANUARY! LOL
Thanks Kim this is what I needed.
Ciara
Such a blessing to hear, sis! Thank you for sharing that.
Girrrrrrl, you’re doing yo’ thang! This is so good! God is using you, Sis.
I know the only reason I have not torn others down to build myself up is because my mom constantly stressed for my siblings and me to be happy for others who may have more than we. For me, that included looks. I have, unfortunately, been on the receiving end of being torn down (like the girl I mentioned in last week’s post). It’s hurtful because we can’t help how we look and the comparisons, therefore, are incomparable (does that make sense?). Anyway, I love what you are doing here, how you are doing it and all the healing that is taking place. I am so glad that you paused, Kim, to hear what God wanted you to do next. This is so good.
Rhonda…..I needed to see this when I saw it….you encouraged me greatly! As I said before, stepping out of my comfort zone to do a “new thing” isn’t easy. Add to that the fact that I know the enemy isn’t happy that we’re praying and believing for women to be healed and set free, so I’m seeing little issues pop up. But your post confirmed (as so many of you have, and I’m so thankful) that this is what God wanted me to do. Again, I don’t say this lightly….I’m very thankful that you would take the time to encourage me that way.
Again, kudos to your mom! She was a for-real teacher when you were growing up! :) “It’s hurtful because we can’t help how we look and the comparisons, therefore, are incomparable (does that make sense?)”…makes total sense. To be torn down based on the way God made you….there’s just something deeply *wrong* with that, and it’s no wonder it hurts us the way it does. And then, God in His grace and love, takes us on healing journeys, such as the one you’ve been on. It’s so beautiful the way He loves us. So thankful that you’re sharing with us here, Rhonda. Blessings, sis!
I was in the break room today and the financial channel was on. They were doing a story about companies that have “heavier” male CEOs vs companies with slimmer male CEOs. They made the comparison saying that people perceive heavier folks as “not quite as capable”. The companies with the slimmer CEOs–stocks rose, company performance went up. The other companies? Not so much. I sat there and was instantly reminded of our image study. SMH…..The person doing the story could not believe it herself at how people were perceived.
Oh, yes, that’s a biggie! I’ve even seen studies that say “heavy” women are perceived worse than “heavy” men in the workplace. There are so many image issues and the perceptions people have. It’s very sad when you think about people being judged, not on the quality of the work or ability to manage or how they treat people….but on weight. That’s the world we live in… SMH
And that’s what the report said. She didn’t even want to go there about women.
You know, I was wondering how you did in the courtroom when you were an attorney. I am watching these videos saying “Man, I wish I could’ve seen her in the courtroom.
hey kim. i dont fit in, no where. that’s all. i look different
Alli, NONE of us fit in! We are called to be a peculiar people. I am happy not to fit in :) When we don’t RELY on how others perceive us, going through life is so much easier. You’re beautifully different because you’re supposed to be :)
I was coming to say just what Tamara said. None of us fit in…and ALL of us look different…each uniquely and wonderfully different. There is joy and peace in embracing how God made us. No one else could do it!
Yep, we are all unique — God meant it to be that way…but still, its hard when you FEEL different. The pain can be so huge. My prayer for you Alli (and I started praying as soon as I read your comment — it touched me) is that you will somehow sense deep down just how incredibly special and beautiful the artist who formed you and designed you sees you to be…and if you don’t sense it, that you would take it by faith. And these are not just nice sounding, upbeat good thoughts — I mean it. Ask God to give you an understanding of His deep love of you and a “titch” of understanding of how beautiful He deems you to be.
And by the way, Jesus himself didn’t “fit in” when it came to looks either.
Isaiah 53:2 says:
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
Jesus’ beauty was WHO He was not how He looked — He had no beauty or majesty according to His Word. But let me tell you, when you and I see Him face to face the love and beauty of His character will be so evident, so pervasive, so prominent, so overwhelming that his “looks” will be marked by that and the beauty astounding. With Christ living in us, through the Holy Spirit, we too — you too– can be transformed by glory unto glory…we can radiate His beauty so that this outer woman is marked by that in amazing ways!
Jesus knows how you feel and He doesn’t despise that — He fully understands. But He has so much more for you than that. My prayer is that you will trust Him with this and KNOW that you fit it with Him BIG TIME.
Blessings on you Alli!
Alli
Yep, we are all unique — God meant it to be that way…but still, its hard when you FEEL different. The pain can be so huge. My prayer for you Alli (and I started praying as soon as I read your comment — it touched me) is that you will somehow sense deep down just how incredibly special and beautiful the artist who formed you and designed you sees you to be…and if you don’t sense it, that you would take it by faith. And these are not just nice sounding, upbeat good thoughts — I mean it. Ask God to give you an understanding of His deep love of you and a “titch” of understanding of how beautiful He deems you to be.
And by the way, Jesus himself didn’t “fit in” when it came to looks either.
Isaiah 53:2 says:
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
Jesus’ beauty was WHO He was not how He looked — He had no beauty or majesty according to His Word. But let me tell you, when you and I see Him face to face the love and beauty of His character will be so evident, so pervasive, so prominent, so overwhelming that his “looks” will be marked by that and the beauty astounding. With Christ living in us, through the Holy Spirit, we too — you too– can be transformed by glory unto glory…we can radiate His beauty so that this outer woman is marked by that in amazing ways!
Jesus knows how you feel and He doesn’t despise that — He fully understands. But He has so much more for you than that. My prayer is that you will trust Him with this and KNOW that you fit it with Him BIG TIME.
Blessings on you Alli!
Hmmm…I seem to be repeating myself — don’t really know what happened here :)
Loving these videos Kim!!! I am constantly renewing my mind and believing it. I am along with you on this hair journey too! I am trying different styles..but remembering that I am uniquely and wonderfully made.
So glad you’re loving the videos, Pam!! That truly encourages me! I love that you’re on this journey too. I know you’ve got some hair stories. :-) It’s so awesome to be surrounded by sisters who are continually renewing their minds and know who they are. You bless me!
Hi Kimberly I’m writing a paper about you. If its at all possible for you to email me bmitchelljohnson@yahoo.com, so that I can ask you a few questions I was unable to find that would be wonderful.