Most of us have seen the video clip of a parent discovering their child has used their array of colourful markers to doodle on the recently renovated living room wall.
The majority of parents would, understandably, react in horror upon the discovery of these unwelcome “artistic” expressions, but every now and then a parent saves the day by placing a frame around the doodle, transforming an intrusion onto the serene wall into a treasured piece of art.
We experience intrusions daily. We often have little or no control over these and they tend to disrupt our plans and ideals. This makes it easy to resort to a victim mindset which renders us powerless and hopeless.
As humans, however, God has given us the remarkable ability, or responsibility, to think and reason as we attempt to make sense of our experiences. Research shows that it is not so much what happens to us, but how we think about what happens to us that influences whether we perceive something as a challenge that can be overcome or a threat that will destroy us.
How we think can mitigate the harmful impact of intrusions and, at the same time, enhance positive outcomes. Thus, our ability to frame and reframe our experiences is of extreme value.
Scripture placed emphasis on this aspect of our design years ago. James 1:2-4 NLT reads: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When we encounter trials of many kinds, we have the ability to stop and consider. As children of God we not only have the ability to stop and consider, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we have the responsibility to consider with the mind of Christ, meaning we consider through a spiritual lens that acknowledges eternal realities.
We can allow God’s way of thinking to inform how we frame the intrusions that confront us. And the promise is that when we do this iout of gratitude and joy instead of panic, Christ’s character will take root within us. This is of unfathomable value.
To become more like the Servant King is what our hearts should desire if we profess to be children of God.
Your heart and what resides within it is of more importance to Jesus than your comfort and rights. Your heart determines the course of your life here on earth and your eternal destination.
Let us set our hearts on Jesus. Let us choose to place new frames on the unwelcome intrusions in our lives.
I can say with great confidence that Jesus will transform these into treasured art. Even the ugliest doodles can become the most priceless artwork when your frame is manufactured with his kingdom principles and values in mind.
) Romien Joubert is of the
Lighuis Jesus-b
ediening.
