SCRIPTURE: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good and pleasing will. Romans 12:2.

I had been married for several years before I mentioned the existence of the mole to my husband. Yes, he had been very aware of it, but had never mentioned it. I had a much more obvious and ugly scar on my tummy where abdominal surgery had been performed when I was thirteen, and that had never worried him. So why worry about a little mole?

To me however the mole was a continuing “sign” that I was deep down some kind of sexually promiscuous woman just waiting to emerge. We had a long and faithful marriage, but this did not alter how I perceived myself.

Our thirtieth wedding anniversary was approaching. This was quite a landmark for us, so we decided to have a night away to celebrate our many years of married life. Whilst planning for this special occasion I decided to do something quite radical. I would have that mole surgically removed. This would finally eradicate the lie I had believed!

A rather embarrassed fifty year old quietly asked our well-loved G.P. whether or not I could have the procedure. Upon examination it was clear that this would be a simple matter…a local anesthetic, a stitch or two, time for it to heal and all would be fine. Just as I was about to leave the surgery, our quiet Irish doctor asked why I wanted this “little job” done, when it was really quite unnecessary. I knew him well so I briefly explained my reasons. He responded with understanding, warmth and empathy, encouraging me completely to get rid of this awful reminder.

I had that mole removed a couple of weeks later. The doctor chuckled quietly at the completion of his task and said, “There Julie-Anne. Now you will see. That mole has gone. You are rid of that awful reminder. You are no longer a “loose” woman. Your mother’s attitude can no longer affect you because the evidence is now gone! Now go and have a fantastic thirtieth wedding anniversary. If you’ve been faithful for thirty years WITH that mole, just imagine how pure you’ll be for the next thirty!” I drove home rejoicing that I had finally reached freedom in this area, and had finally had the courage to do something so positive.

But, do you know what happened? Oh, yes, the mole had gone. No one could tell me I was some scarlet woman. However my THINKING about myself had not changed. I still FELT like a scarlet woman. I felt exactly as bad on the inside. The scar on my body had been removed but the scar on my emotions and my mind…….nothing had removed that! To be quite honest, I felt even worse. Now I was still a promiscuous woman who was trying to hide what God knew anyway!

I needed that scar removed from my heart as well as my body. My THINKING about myself had to change. Outward appearances do absolutely nothing if our inward attitudes, thoughts and self-beliefs are still the same. I needed to “renew my mind” as St. Paul said so long ago. The “mole” on the inside had to be cut out too, and stitched, and allowed to heal.

This mental procedure was far longer, more painful, and slower to heal than the physical one my doctor had performed. It required effort on my part. I couldn’t just lie down under a local mental anesthetic and have some expert do the task. This was MY work. No-one could do it for me. I had to daily affirm my purity in God, and each time I began to again believe the lie of my mother, I would thank Satan for reminding me that Jesus was my healer, and that day by day my mind was being renewed.

That is another great tactic I have learned. When Satan tempts me, instead of sinking into gloom and doom, I use it as a positive opportunity to thank Jesus for all the healing he is accomplishing in me. The last thing Satan wants is for God to be praised, so I know from experience that if I continually do this Satan stops bothering me very smartly. It is the best form of spiritual warfare I know. It is easy, good fun even, and it sure sends Satan packing!

PRAYER: O Lord, personal renewal is an individual and mental change of attitude and thinking. It is really what the old scholars called …revival…..to live again in a new way. It requires time and effort, and requires a continual and frequent renewal of our will to change. Change is hard, Lord, and slow, but eternally rewarding. Give us courage today to change poor thinking patterns as you show them to us. Sometimes we must do the hard work to see your miracles occur in our lives. Give us the courage we need today to renew our will to become more like yours. Amen.

TODAY: Choose an area in your life where a change of thinking is needed to bring your mind to more like that of Jesus. Ask Jesus to show you every time you fall back into your old thinking pattern. And if you fail, don’t get downcast about “spiritual attack”. Use it to praise God for all the change that is going to result in your life from your renewed mind. Keep positive….Jesus and you are a winning team!

Julie-Anne Wingate. Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved.