A New Mindset

Read

Romans 12:2c “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Think

If you’ve ever tried on someone else’s glasses, you know how disorienting it can be. Everything looks distorted. The world is blurry or bent in strange directions. But when you wear lenses made for your eyes, clarity returns. What was confusing becomes sharp. You see what was already there—you just couldn’t recognize it before.

That’s what Paul is describing at the end of Romans 12:2. When your mind is renewed—when transformation begins to take hold—you begin to see God’s will more clearly. It was always there, but now, you’re able to test it, approve it, recognize it, and respond to it.

That phrase “test and approve” in Greek refers to discernment, like someone evaluating the quality of something, inspecting it, weighing it. Paul isn’t saying God’s will becomes available only to the spiritual elite. He’s saying when your mind is being reshaped by the Spirit, you gain the ability to see things from God’s perspective. What used to confuse you starts to make more sense. What used to feel foggy comes into focus.

We often talk about “finding God’s will” like it’s a lost object. Something we might stumble across if we pray the right prayer or make the right move. But Paul flips that idea. God’s will isn’t lost—it’s often just misunderstood. The real issue isn’t its location. It’s our perception. If your mind is shaped by the world, God’s will might seem backward, hard, or even unappealing. But when your mind is renewed, your response shifts from resistance to recognition.

Paul describes God’s will with three powerful words: good, pleasing, and perfect. That’s how God sees it. That’s what it is at the core. But you’ll only experience it that way when your heart is aligned with his. Think of it like music. If you're out of tune with the melody, it sounds wrong. But when you're in sync, everything clicks. Harmony happens.

One of the most important shifts in the Christian life is moving from “What is God’s will for me?” to “What is God’s will, period—and how can I align my life with it?” Instead of trying to squeeze God into our plans, we surrender our plans and ask for alignment. That shift brings freedom.

When Paul says “God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will,” he isn’t promising an easy path. He’s promising a meaningful one. The word “good” doesn’t mean comfortable. It means whole. Right. Rooted in love. “Pleasing” doesn’t mean entertaining—it means deeply satisfying to the heart of God. “Perfect” doesn’t mean predictable—it means complete, lacking nothing, led by wisdom.

You may not always feel like God’s will is good in the moment. Obedience can feel costly. Forgiveness can feel unfair. Waiting can feel painful. But over time, you begin to see the deeper goodness. The soul-level peace. The long-term beauty. And when your mind is being renewed, you start to desire that kind of goodness—not just comfort or control.

Imagine someone training for a marathon. At first, the early mornings and long runs seem miserable. Their body resists. But as they keep going, their mindset shifts. The pain becomes purposeful. The discipline starts to shape them, not just physically but mentally. They begin to enjoy the process. To crave it. That’s what happens when you live in alignment with God’s will. What once felt hard begins to feel holy.

God’s will also becomes more recognizable in the little things. It’s not just about major life decisions—career, marriage, calling. It’s about how you treat the person in front of you. How you respond to conflict. How you spend your time. The more you walk in step with the Spirit, the more you start to discern what reflects his heart.

There’s a quiet confidence that comes when your mind is being renewed. You’re no longer swayed by every trend or feeling. You’re grounded. You can weigh decisions with clarity. You can listen for wisdom instead of reacting out of fear. You can hold your plans with open hands and trust that God’s direction is better than your own.

This doesn’t mean you’ll never wrestle with God’s will. Even Jesus, in the Garden, said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Surrender doesn’t always come easily. But it always leads to life. That’s what Paul wants us to see: that the will of God isn’t something to fear. It’s something to embrace. It’s not a trap. It’s a gift.

And it becomes clearer the more you renew your mind. That’s the order Paul gives. First, stop conforming. Then, be transformed. Then, and only then, will you truly discern the will of God. The more your thoughts reflect his truth, the more your decisions will follow his wisdom.

If you feel unsure of what God wants from you right now—start with your mind. Let him reshape how you think. Return to his Word. Tune your thoughts to his voice. Trust that clarity will come, not through frantic searching, but through faithful surrender.

God’s will isn’t hiding from you. It’s waiting for you to see it through renewed eyes.

Apply

Do something today that gives space for clarity. Take a walk without your phone. Sit outside in silence for ten minutes. Let stillness create space for renewed perspective and deeper surrender.

Pray

God, renew my mind so I can recognize your will. I don’t want to just guess at what you want—I want to see clearly and respond with trust. Shape my thoughts to match your heart. Help me believe that your way really is good and that following you is always worth it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.