Offensive Thinking

On perspective shifts, mind renewal and being a light

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

The continual need for a shift in my perspective is glaringly obvious every time I read the scriptures…

I had a family gathering to attend which I was beginning to dread. It had been a couple of years since I had met with them, and I would be the sole Christian in a sea of unbelievers, scoffers and self declared atheists. It wasn’t that they had a history of being antagonistic towards me or rude, but they would most likely be celebrating something I know to be a rebellion against God’s design and purpose for life. I imagined scenarios where everybody would be celebrating ‘The Thing’ and my obvious silence becoming the elephant in the room. I imagined the discussions my children would be drawn into, conversations about an issue they are too young to fully understand.  

I could feel myself becoming fearful, apprehensive, frustrated and a little bit…angry. I wondered why I had to face these situations alone, why I had no ‘back-up’. If I had to speak up, would I say the right thing? Would I be bold enough and gracious enough to speak the truth in love?

How could I prepare and protect my children spiritually? 

I thought; surely Lord, You can’t expect me to be a solitary ‘light for Christ’ in the midst of the darkness of secular human reasoning! I don’t want to be the cause of any drama at this gathering! I want to keep the peace! 

I didn’t want to be in self protective mode, guarding my heart against any potential attack through the words and assumptions of others. 

I realised my mind needed renewing, badly. I needed to stop defensive thinking and get on the offensive. The light does not cower in the darkness. You can’t miss a city on a hill, it won’t be hidden. 

I prayed that God would change my heart. I thought about those family members' need for Christ and the freedom He brings. I wondered how many Christians they knew in their everyday lives. Maybe I was the first person with the Spirit of Christ living inside of them that they had been around for months? Maybe years? How selfish of me to be worried about self preservation and avoiding awkward situations, but not concerned about reaching them with the hope of the gospel? 

I began to pray that I would be the fragrance of life leading to life at this gathering. That the light of Christ within me would be clearly visible. I prayed that my conversations would be seasoned with grace. That they would sense the love of God towards them through me. I had no idea how He would do this, just assurance through His word that He can. 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? ( 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 CSB)

My spirit felt so much lighter after this perspective shift. I knew that God had not given me a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. It didn’t feel right to be dreading a simple family gathering, no matter what they may or may not be celebrating, no matter what rebellious stance they took before God. I was a worker being sent into the harvest field. I had to simply trust that God is who He says He is, and He can do what He says He can (and will) do. 

Are you the only known believer in your home, family, place of study or work? Do you feel the weight of responsibility to rightly represent Jesus to others?

If you, like me, are tired of being spiritually defensive in life, of feeling weary and bruised by the negativity, unbelief and downright ungodliness so pervasive in society then consider Jesus:

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1-4 CSB) 

I will most likely still battle fear and apprehension about situations with unbelieving family members or friends ( in fact I can think of a few even now), but I can always return to the truth in His word. I can remember who I am in Christ, and who Christ is in me. The government is on His shoulders not mine. He is the Lord of the harvest and He knows what He is doing. 

We can continually be transformed from cowering and fearful to trusting and prayerful by the renewing of our minds. With the hope that we will not be conformed to this age and its desires, but able to discern what God’s will is in every upcoming situation.