My Circumstances and Thoughts Shape Me

In Romans 12:2 I read, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (NLT)

When I understand the five factors that influence my identity, I can start on the road to becoming all God created me to be. The first two factors are chemistry (how I’m made) and connections (my relationships); I am a product of the way God created me and of the relationships in my life. The next two factors are my circumstances and consciousness.

Circumstances are the things that happen to and around me. None of which I control. I am a product of the trauma, troubles, suffering, shame, shock, pressures, and pain that have shaped my life. Perhaps even abuse has affected my identity. If I’ve ever experienced a catastrophe or a series of failures, those too have left an indelible mark on who I am.

Consciousness is how I talk to myself. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (NCV).

My thoughts don’t have to be true to hurt me; I just have to believe them. If I tell myself my marriage won’t last, then it won’t. If I’m afraid I can’t do something, then I won’t. My thoughts run my life!

Like many, my thoughts are filled with the lies I’ve heard from others. I repeat those thoughts in my head. As I let them simmer and fester, they go deeper into my consciousness and begin to shape my identity. The truth is, if I talked to my friends the way I talk to myself, I’d probably not be friends with them anymore.

Though it’s true that my thoughts shape me, it’s also true that I can change the way I think. Romans 12:2 says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (NLT).

Remember: My circumstances may be out of my control, but God is in control of everything; my thoughts shape me, but God can help me think good thoughts.

My circumstances and consciousness have shaped who I am up until today. But, moving forward, the way I respond to my circumstances and the thoughts, the what I chose to believe, will shape the rest of my life.

In summary, when I understand the five factors that influence my identity, I can start on the road to becoming all God created me to be. The first two factors are chemistry (how I’m made) and connections (my relationships); I am a product of the way God created me and of the relationships in my life. The next two factors are my circumstances and consciousness. Circumstances are the things that happen to and around me. None of which I control. I am a product of the trauma, troubles, suffering, shame, shock, pressures, and pain that have shaped my life. If I’ve ever experienced a catastrophe or a series of failures, those too have left an indelible mark on who I am. Consciousness is how I talk to myself. So, be careful what I think, because my thoughts run my life”. My thoughts don’t have to be true to hurt me; I just have to believe them. Like many, my thoughts are filled with the lies I’ve heard. I repeat those thoughts in my head. Though it’s true that my thoughts shape me, it’s also true that I can change the way I think. So Let God transform me by changing the way I think”. My circumstances may be out of my control, but God is in control of everything; my thoughts shape me, but God can help me think good thoughts. My circumstances and consciousness have shaped who I am up until today. But, moving forward, the way I respond to my circumstances and my thoughts, the what I chose to believe, will shape the rest of my life.

Also, I am to not copy the behavior and customs of this world, which is selfish and corrupting. My refusal to conform must go even deeper than just behavior and customs, it must be firmly planted in values rooted in my mind. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects my mind am I truly transformed.