Just like when our computers, phones, cars, etc… get pushed to the limit, they begin to show signs of dysfunction, often by slowing down before freezing up, or worse yet, flat-out shutting down. As just about everyone knows, the same thing can happen to us. When we encounter dysfunction we often do one of two things: 1. Think about it, or 2. Work on it. The first response comes naturally, and even though it is doing something, it’s a passive and not active response. Also, it’s all too easy to shift from merely thinking about our problems, to complaining, worrying, and excessively talking about them. If we fail to move on to the second response (working on our problems), we can find ourselves blaming others for our dysfunctional state, or excusing, ignoring, or submitting to our problems, by saying things like “Oh well… that’s just how it is/I am”. But, before we go any further, take a look at this quick clip:
What was said above, is something that we already know, right? I mean, we know that excessively thinking and talking about problems, without working on fixing dysfunction, feeds & strengthens the problems—we can literally make our problems, our dysfunction grow. We can create a feed & grow cycle, a trap, a pit that is hard to break free from, so what should we do? Just like we heard above—force a reset. Also as was mentioned in the clip above, I am a proponent of counseling & therapy, and if you are working with a counselor/therapist, ensure that they are helping you to work towards functionality and not just keeping you in a cycle. We must do all we can to reset our minds, more than ever these days because we have so many things vying for control of our minds. It’s not easy, it’s not natural, and it takes time, work, and effort, but sometimes we must force a reset, especially when we’ve reached our limits.
Forcing a reset, helps us to move past our feelings, again it’s not easy, but it is doable. I was challenged to do a 14-day reset, after watching a video by Dr. Bobby Price about the need to and benefit of detoxing our bodies, so I told my wife, and a couple of our sistas about it, and together, we completed the 14-day detox… It wasn’t easy, and we didn’t feel like doing it every day, but we encouraged each other all the way until the end. We all reported the benefits, and they were holistic, each of our four pillars of wellness was strengthened. Real quick, below are a couple of slides that I used to teach during resiliency training courses.
I mentioned feelings earlier because feelings & emotions can drive us to places where we don’t want to stay, if they are allowed to rule our minds without any restraint. We are supposed to bear the “Fruit of The Spirit” but it’s commonplace and natural for us to bear the “fruit of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16-26). We can’t think properly, we can’t function logically if/when our emotions are running unchecked. Below you can see some quick & easy, practical ways (and of course there are others) to reset our emotions—once we “feel better”, then we can better work on being and doing better:
On Windows computers, when the operating system stops functioning, pressing Control+Alt+Delete on the keyboard, enables us to begin our attempts to identify, repair, refresh, and reset things. Sometimes a good restart or complete shutdown is needed, but that first step, that first check begins with Ctrl-Alt-Del. You saw the title picture, you already know these things, but consider that as a memory jogger when you see Cntl-Alt-Del. Below are just a couple (out of many) Scriptures that remind us on a spiritual & higher level, how vital renewal is:
“So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the nations walk, in the futility of their mind, having been darkened in their understanding, having been estranged from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, who, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecency, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Messiah, if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as truth is in יהושע (Yahoshua, The Messiah): that you put off – with regard to your former behaviour – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the renewed man which was created according to Elohim, in righteousness and set-apartness of the truth. Therefore, having put off the false, speak truth, each one with his neighbour, for we are members of one another. “Be wroth, but do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down on your rage, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, so that he has somewhat to share with those in need. Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for the use of building up, so as to impart what is pleasant to the hearers. And do not grieve the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and displeasure, and uproar, and slander be put away from you, along with all evil. And be kind towards one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Elohim also forgave you in Messiah.”
Eph`siyim (Ephesians) 4:17-32 TS2009
You might not have had a good yesterday… your day so far might not be going too well either… but from this minute forward, the remainder of today can be changed by the renewing of your mind! Ctrl-Alt-Del. Try something new, switch things up, or go back to something functional—something that worked for you in your past. Renew your mind, even if you can’t change the world right now. And if today doesn’t work out, try harder and/or try a different approach tomorrow. No matter what, keep your eye on The Kingdom first & foremost, and ask our Father for Help! We have help in Him!
“Therefore do NOT worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But FIRST and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of YAH], and all these things will be given to you also. “So do NOT worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:31-34 AMP
“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ (Messiah/Mashiach [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated at the right hand of YAH. [Ps 110:1] Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].”
Colossians 3:1-2 AMP
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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We have help! Check out this inspirational teaching from Dr. Yoshiyahu Dauid:
Here are some additional videos to listen to. Try them out, put them on in the background while you do some busy work or chores; listen to them while you go for a drive or take a walk, paint or draw, or just sit and quiet your mind. As with all things, filter everything through Torah, spit out the seeds, and chew the fruit/spit out the bones, and chew the meat.
We should seek wellness holistically, full shalom (wholeness/completeness), so here are some physical wellness things to consider as you work on renewing your mind.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/732391252834742?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e
If you like to have “something on” while you work, study, read, draw, etc… here are a couple videos from some channels that utilize the Pomodoro technique. They do a great job helping me to reset and refresh every hour, and you might find them equally benefial.
