Friday, 4-20-18 Putting on the Mind of God | From Saul to Paul

Our thoughts are powerful things. They can lead to happiness or they can lead to a life of pain for ourselves and/or others. Fortunately, our thoughts can become congruent with thoughts of God and his great goodness. Such thoughts will lead to eternal happiness. We just have to do the work necessary for this to happen. This work that can only be done with the help of our Triune God. When we put on the mind of God we will experience more fully the life he offers us. Paul came to know this life very well. He must have experienced what it feels like to have a mind conformed to the mind of God.

In our first reading we read about Saul “still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,…”. However, before Saul could breathe murderous threats he had to think murderous thoughts. Given that we have upwards of 70,000 thoughts a day (that’s 50 a minute!) there is plenty of room to think good or bad thoughts. Our thoughts are born of a combination of our life experiences, our prayers, our reading, our actions, the messages we receive from God, and yes – the messages the Evil one sends our way. Our minds are constantly being “programmed”. Fortunately, we have a lot to say about this programming. If we want God centered thoughts then we need to subject our mind to God centered things – things centered around prayer, love, and forgiveness. Something Saul didn’t do when he was persecuting Christians.

Paul’s Conversion

Paul’s conversion experience was a bit unique wasn’t it? God had a plan for this man, a plan that stood at the foundation of the transformation of the world. It began with something I like to call “pattern interrupt”. I use this term in my work when I see a client carry an old pattern that needs to be transformed for healing – whether that is physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Saul’s old thought pattern was not congruent with the plan God had for his life and it needed to be interrupted! So how do you stop a strong, powerful man who has the ability to lead like Saul? Well, taking away his sight and speaking to him in no uncertain terms will do.

This is just what God did. He stepped into Saul’s life with a divine pattern interrupt. I found it interesting that Saul lost his sight for three days and that he didn’t eat or drink for three days as well. It made me think of the Pascal Mystery and the three days the disciples experienced the divine absence of Jesus. Saul experienced the absence, and death, of his former self over three days.

Ananias’ Fear

Ananias’ fear reminds us that there is a world around us bigger than what we preceive. We are immersed in a force, God’s force, like a little fish immersed in the sea. The fish can never understand the power of the sea, and likewise, we can never understand the power of God. Ananias trusted in this force – he trusted in God. While Ananias had thoughts of fear, he also had many thoughts of God. His “God thoughts” gave him strength – the strength needed to approach the powerful and scary Saul. It was these thoughts that allowed God to use Ananias as a very important, and rather ordinary, instrument of salvation.

And how did Ananias find Saul – he found him praying! What a turn-around. A divine pattern interrupt indeed. From murderer to the man we know as Paul all inside of a few days. If we ever doubt that God is in the miracle business hopefully we will be reminded of Saul who became our beloved Paul.

Shedding Our Old Self

Like Paul, we too must shed our old self – our “Saul”, before we can conform to God’s will for our life. God has a plan for each and every one of us. He uses the Ananias’ of the world and the Paul’s of the world for his good – not that there has ever been another Paul, but I think you get the idea. Sometimes God comes in with his divine pattern interrupt like he did with Paul. Other times God allows us to move towards him like I’m guessing he did with Ananias. Either way, our minds must conform with God’s mind if we are to become his servants.

The scales of Saul’s eyes needed to shed before he could become the man God created him to be – Saint Paul. The scales of murderous thoughts, anger, pride, and who knows what else needed to go so he could see clearly. All of those scales created the clouded lens that Saul saw the world through – a lens that caused him to persecute Jesus’ followers. Our scales cloud our vision too. We must, like Saul, shed our scales before we can see clearly the path God has for us. It is a journey of a lifetime. Our Triune God gave us the freedom to choose him – to love him above all else. He has showed us the Way – his Son, whose body and blood we are invited to receive and become renewed with. We must persevere as Paul tells us in Acts and let those scales fall. It’s a journey worth taking.

Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace. – Acts 20:24

Global Light For Christ

If you are in need of prayers so you can shed your scales then you are in good company! Our little prayer community, Global Light For Christ, would love to pray for you. You are invited to share your prayer request below, or email it to me privately. I for one need to shed some scales. You are also invited to join all of us in prayer – the more the merrier. Together, through prayer and perseverance, we can surrender to God and watch the difference he makes in the world as we receive clearer eyesight.

God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn


God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.

God the Son – bring us to yourself.

God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.


Today’s Readings: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117:1BC, 2; Alleluia John 6:56; John 6: 52-59

About the Author

Carolyn Berghuis MS, ND, CTN is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, traditional naturopath, and free-lance Catholic writer. Carolyn is currently pursuing an MA in Pastoral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Carolyn also holds a BS in Mathematics, a MS in Holistic Nutrition and a doctoral degree in Naturopathy. www.CarolynBerghuis.com

Author Archive Page

34 Comments

  1. Thank you for the reflection. Please pray for me to renew my faith in God and resist temptations. Pray for me to have thoughts centered around God and HIS love. Also pray for me to find a job so that I am able to take care of my family. I thank God for the blessings he has bestowed to me.

  2. Thank you for your lovely reflection, Carolyn.

    I pray for the health of my unborn baby, for the health, happiness and safety of my family and friends, and for the intentions of everyone in this prayer community.

  3. Thank you Carolyn. I pray for the intentions of everyone in this community. And for my own intentions too. Our heavenly father already knows them

    God bless

  4. Thank you for the reflection. My prayer request is that my Faith in God may increase and that in my own small way i may have a positive impact to people around me. That God may use me as His instrument to make a better world.I also pray for the intentions of all the others in this community who are in need.

  5. Thank you Carolyn for this beautiful reflection. Please pray for the scales of ego pride and fear to go away from me..

  6. Thank you for this wonderful reflection,Carolyn.May God grant us all the desires of our hearts according to His will,Amen.

  7. Thanks Carolyn for this very wonderful reflection. Thanks for this great prayer community too. I pray that our Lord God will shed the scales in our eyes so that we may know Him better and so be able to do His will in a more better way. Let us pray for our intentions and may the Lord God hear our prayers
    God bless you Carolyn and all members of this community Amen

  8. Thank you for this prayer community that helps us shed our old self and brings in the light of Jesus. May God Bless You.

  9. Prayers for a family that I beleive I have been called to assist.
    Pray that they may experience rebirth and renewed life. Pray that I may keep the faith and beleive in God’s process despite how hopeless their life experience may seem.
    Please keep them in your prayers.

  10. Praying that God helps me shed my scales that blur my vision so that I will be able to see clearly the path God has for me and consequently conform to His will and plan for me.
    Also praying for the intentions of everyone in this prayer community-may God grant every of our good desires.Amen!
    Thanks Carolyn for your wonderful and heartfelt reflection.God bless you.

  11. Thank you for your beautiful reflections. Please pray for my husband that he may turn his life over to Jesus and be the spiritual leader of our family.

  12. PLEASE pray for my brother, that he may get rid of the anger that he has toward his son and his Mom. And that he be healed spiritually. So he would come back to our family.
    Thank you!

  13. Please pray that tonight and always I grow in humility and God’s leading. That I will listen with open ears and see with open eyes especially with my husband. I unite my prayer with Gail and all faith challenged marriages to ask that all our husbands/spouses turn their lives over to Jesus. God look upon all our prayer requests and help us to truly give them to you.

  14. Thank you for all your prayers. Can you please pray God to give me strength , teach me how to be humble and grant me his peace. God bless you ?

  15. Thank you, Carolyn. Your reflection spoke to me today. I need a “thought interrupt”. I’m struggling with complaining about my job. I’ve been with my company for 15 years but think it may be time to leave. I’ve been praying for God to clear a path for me if I’m meant to leave. I have an opportunity to work for our competitor. Please pray that the Lord will lead me and make clear His will for me. I pray for the intentions of our prayer community. May God hear our prayers and grant us peace.

  16. “Thank You”!!!…. to All who prayed for my friend who was diagnosed with lymphoma back in the fall 2017. She recently had a pet scan and is in remission! God Is Good! The outpour of love and support for Cydney has been uplifting, my heart is full of love for those who rallied to help her through this difficult time.

  17. For my daughter, who continues to make courageous decisions regarding the direction of her life, that the Holy Spirit will bless her with wisdom as she closes one door and opens another.

  18. i ask that you pray for my brother who is now under the care of hospice. My sister who is recovering from her second stroke and heart and diabetes issues. my youngest brother who is having heart problems . I would ask that you pray for my daughter to return to Christ she has an unbelieving boy friend and it has really taken her back .I also pray that this young man will come under conviction by the Holy Spirit and become a christian (catholic). please pray for my son who spent 8 years in prison and also has drifted away from the church.Thanks be to God for this website and prayer community. I love you all in Christ Cletus

  19. Thank you Carolyn. My prayer intention is for my 84 yr, old brother who
    Underwent surgery and has some comlications. I thank all who can send prayers
    For his complete recovery if it is God’s will. Also prayers of comfor, acceptance and healing
    For my friend with COPD abd 2 spots on her lungs. So many people suffering , I pray our Triune God
    Bring solace, healing and comfort to all. God’s blessing to you all.

  20. May God’s love bless each who has reached out for our prayers. I offer up each of you and all those you love and pray for to our blessed Mother Mary’s care. I add my intentions to all of yours, as in the reading of them, I found all that I am praying for, as well. We are all so connected in our struggles… Thank you, Carolyn, for bringing us together so to be connected in our prayers. Amen

  21. Thank you Carolyn! I always enjoy your refelctions. Please pray for the children who suffer due to parental instability. In particular the children who lived next door to me. Their mother was incarcerated and they each had to move in with their dad. One moved out of state and was very sad about leaving everything behind. May they have a happy childhood in their new home. May they one day reunite with eachother, their grandparents, and their mom when she is healthier.

  22. Please pray for my Mother (93), who has Alzheimer’s, that God might perform a miracle to clear her mind or take her of another ailment to be with Him, instead of this insidious disease. Please also pray for me. I am trying to keep her home and out of a facility. This has broken a bond between siblings who feel she should be in a facility. Please pray that I will recognize when that time has come. Also, prayers for my husband and sons who are supporting me in this, as I have had to leave my own home to do it.

  23. Good morning, asking for prayers for my daughter who has mood swings and depression. She has gotten into some legal problems, praying all goes well. My son will be making his confirmation, praying he will always know the love of the holy spirit. Prayers for the soul of Jennifer Riorden. Praying for her husband, children and family during this difficult and sad time. Amen and God bless our prayer community.

  24. I pray for you all and for all your intentions. Please pray for my friend, Mary Louise, who was diagnosed with Corticobasal Degenerative Syndrome vs Atypical Parkinsonism – she has lost the use of her hands, needs a wheel chair and is losing her voice. She has been like an angel to so many people – please pray with me for a miracle from God that she is healed. Thank you Carolyn and all the Catholic Moment writers who keep our thoughts on God.

  25. Thank you Carolyn, I love your meditations, I will pray for all the intentions of this group, please pray for me, that I can see and listen to Gods will in my life, take away vanity, ego, and can be a good wife

  26. Please pray for me that the scales of anxiety and lack of patience with my loved ones will fall away from me. Thank you, Caroline, for your lovely reflections, and your commitment to this ministry. I will include your group in my prayers. I lead a Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group. In my parish at Wynnum Australia.

  27. God bless you for this wonderful reflection, Carolyn! I believe the comment by Mary Anne above perfectly echos what is in my heart, that I would like for you and your prayer community to pray for. Many thanks, sndGod’s blessings to all! ??

  28. For my daughter Karen, pray that she starts a life with our Lord Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior, that her decisions in life be always guided by His teachings, in accordance to the will of the Father. Karen has recently joined a catholic charismatic community of young professionals and began to actively attend its gatherings.

  29. Thank you Carolyn.
    Requesting prayers for my little one that he begins to take his studies seriously and does well in his final examination. For my elder son that he gets closer to our Lord, may the Holy Spirit give him the spirit of discernment to take up the right path in his career. for my husband’s good health and for me – I have been long in this job and hoping to take up another job (currently the company is not doing too well and with the change in management it is become ever more complex), it seems difficult to get a new job but I place my trust in God.
    I will also pray and remember for our brethren who are also going through difficult times.

    Thank you

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