Ain’t That A VHIT
By Von C. Howard
At some point in life, we all reach a moment when we realize the real battle isn’t around us, it’s within us. It’s in how we think, how we interpret our experiences, and how we choose to move forward. That realization is where renewal begins.
To have a renewed mind is to make a daily decision to grow, emotionally, professionally, spiritually, and socially, no matter what life throws your way. It’s choosing not to let your past define your potential, and to believe that change isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.
The Power of Choosing Renewal Every Day
In a world that moves fast, where opinions are loud and attention is short, renewal can seem like a lost art. But every day gives us a new chance to pause, breathe, and reset our thoughts. Scripture reminds us in Romans 12:2 (NIV):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
That’s not just a spiritual statement, it’s a life principle. Transformation begins with what we allow to shape our thoughts. If we feed our minds negativity, fear, or comparison, that’s what will take root. However, when we fill our thoughts with gratitude, purpose, and faith, renewal begins to take shape from the inside out.
You don’t need a new year, a new job, or a new relationship to start over. You just need a new mindset.
Growth in Every Season of Life
Renewal looks different for everyone. For a young adult, it might mean learning patience and resilience when plans don’t unfold as expected. For a parent or partner, it could be finding balance between caring for others and caring for yourself. For professionals, it’s embracing growth over comfort, being willing to unlearn old habits and lead with empathy. For elders, it may mean finding peace in reflection, wisdom in rest, and joy in mentoring others.
Regardless of where you are in life, the principle is the same: growth takes intentional effort. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. That kind of thinking builds inner strength, the kind that no setback, social media trend, or global crisis can take away.
Letting Go to Move Forward
One of the hardest lessons in life is learning to let go, not just of people or situations, but of old versions of ourselves. We can’t move forward if we’re always looking backward. Holding onto resentment, guilt, or regret only clutters the space where peace is supposed to live.
Letting go doesn’t erase what happened; it just redefines it. The past becomes your teacher, not your identity. In Isaiah 43:18–19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Renewal is about recognizing that “new thing”, the quiet ways in which growth, healing, and opportunity are already taking shape, even when you don’t feel ready.
Every painful lesson, every wrong turn, every closed door can become the foundation of something better, not just for you, but for others who will draw strength from your story.
A Renewed Mind Helps Heal the World
When your mind is renewed, your outlook changes and that shift doesn’t stay private. It spills over into your home, your work, your relationships, and your community. You begin to see people differently. You listen with compassion instead of judgment. You speak to encourage rather than to impress.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” In today’s world, divided by politics, race, generation, and belief, a renewed mind is exactly what helps us bridge those gaps. It allows us to lead with understanding instead of anger, to build instead of blame, and to love people as they are, not as we wish them to be.
When we renew our minds, we create ripple effects that reach far beyond ourselves. Renewal becomes not just personal, but communal.
Every Sunrise Is Another Chance
Renewal is not perfection, it’s progression. Some days you’ll get it right, other days you’ll stumble. But even on your hardest days, God’s mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23). That means each sunrise is another invitation to try again, to think better, do better, and be better.
So, start where you are. Take the next small step. Pray for clarity. Forgive yourself and others. Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep evolving.
A renewed mind reminds us that we’re not bound by our yesterday, we’re built for our tomorrow. And when we live from that truth, we stop merely surviving and start truly living.
Because renewal isn’t about who you were, it’s about who you’re becoming.