Be A Multiplier, Not A Diminisher!

Jesus was an expert at multiplying people, not just the number of people but the individuals themselves. He recognized the beauty and power of each individual and knew what to do to help them recognize their full potential.  He did not focus on their weaknesses or on diminishing them, but rather chose to love them unconditionally leading to the recognition that they could do the impossible.  Whether a prostitute, tax collector, a bad tempered and overreacting disciple or committed follower bent on washing his feet; Jesus knew how to multiply their strengths helping them to develop into better people. 

We too have to learn to become multipliers, to celebrate the goodness of those we come into contact with, helping them reach their full potential.  Sadly, we live in a world that often wants to focus on the negative, the flaws of the individual with little regard for their strengths.  It is so easy to come together to talk about others faults rather than trying to celebrate their strengths.  Each of us can move from being a multiplier to being a diminisher if we fail to make conscious effort to celebrate people rather than diminish them.  

As believers we are called to love everyone, to look for their goodness and strengths and help them focus on those while keeping their weaknesses in check.  It takes courage and commitment both of which  Christ provides if you are open to receiving them.  With his help we can learn to become multipliers and avoid being diminishers.  Join me in committing to help multiply people instead of diminishing them.  Just a little advice to go! 

A2G: Renewing of the Mind

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yes we are all familiar with this scripture but are we really understanding that in order to avoid conforming with the patterns of this world, we have to make a conscious effort to keep our minds renewed.  It is not as difficult as it sounds, here are three simple areas to focus on based on Dr. Henry Cloud's teachings; he is a Christina clinical psychologist:

1. Attention: your ability to focus on relevant stimuli and block out what is not relevant.  Pay attention to those things that bless your life and take your mind away from those that curse your life.  Not a difficult plan, you know better than anyone else which stimuli to focus your thoughts on and which to avoid.

2. Inhibition: The ability to not do those things that are distracting, irrelevant or destructive to your life.  Don't do it, yes that means that you fight with all you have to make sure that you don't behave in ways that contradict who you are in Christ.  If you need help then get together with a group of believers that can help keep you standing in the light.

3. Remembering-Working memory: The ability to retain and access critical information that helps you reason, make decisions, and take action.  Your brain has to be constantly focused on retaining access to that information that helps you be successful in your walk with Christ.  That means no matter how bad you believe your memory is, you must constantly feed into it the blessing of God's word to help sustain you and deliver you from those destructive thoughts.  Retaining the good thoughts, God's word is a must to help sustain your Godly walk.

Remembering these three areas is as simple as remembering that you need AIR to survive: Attention, Inhibition, and Remembering are critical to making sure your brain has what it needs to thrive.  Give it a try!  Just a little advice to go!