David Stoop - Rethink How You Think: How to Create Lasting Change Today

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Epigraph

Part 1

1. The Choice between Two Paths

2. The Physiology of Change

3. The ABCs of a Renewed Mind

4. Gods Plan for Our Transformation

Part 2

5. Moving from Fear to Love

6. Moving from Anger to Forgiveness

7. Moving from Loneliness to Connection

8. Moving from Lust to Intimacy

9. Moving from Modern Idolatry to Contentment

10. Moving from Lifes Trials to Joy

Afterword

Notes

About the Author

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Back Cover

T he unifying word for our world today is stress . It is a common condition that affects us all, regardless of age. We want to be in control and we dont want to worry, but it seems that peace eludes us and stress overwhelms us. As Christians, we want the peace that Scripture describes as that which surpasses all understanding, but the harder we try to find it, the more we do not experience it. Why would the apostle Paul write so much about that kind of peace in the book of Philippians? What are we missing here? Why would he tell us we are to renew our minds in order to find that kind of peace? How does one go about such a process?

Paul gives us the outline in 2 Corinthians 10:35. He uses the metaphor of a battleground. We are to battle against the proud arguments that set themselves against God. Paul is echoing a theme found throughout the Biblethat there are two paths open to us. On one path, we believe those proud arguments against God, and on the other path, we think Gods way. But how can we change paths?

The work being done by todays brain scientists can give us added insight into ways we can rethink how we think, and in doing so, we can unlock the power that God has made available to us when we hide his Word in our heart.

Part 1 describes some of the incredible things our brains can doall of which are part of Gods design. Like the psalmist David, you will be amazed at how wonderfully God has made each of us.

N ow that we have looked at the basics of how our brains work, we turn to the specifics of how we can experience Gods transforming power in our lives. We hide Gods words in our hearts through meditation and memorization. And then we ponder Gods words throughout our day. So lets begin our journey of renewing our minds through meditation by looking at some of the things many of us want to change.

In each of the next chapters, we will look at a specific issue we may struggle with in our lives. We will begin each chapter by identifying the problem, then we will consider what goes on in our brain related to that specific issue. Our focus will then shift to meditating on Scriptures that relate to what God wants us to understand about that problem. Then we will consider another group of Scriptures that will help us understand more clearly Gods desired solution.

The Scripture passages are grouped together, making it easy for you to eat the passage. As you meditate on the Scriptures, note things that stand out to you. You may find it helpful to journal about what God says to you in each passage. Following your meditation on the passage and your reflections on what struck you, come back throughout the day to what the passage said to you. Again, think about what you readponder it. And especially think of it again as you end your day. Remember, Gods Word is alive and seeks to be active in our lives. Not every chapter may speak to a current struggle in your life. So feel free to focus on the chapters that are relevant to your needs.