How Jesus Changes Our Negative Thinking
Have you ever accomplished something that not only shocked those around you but even yourself?
On February 11, 1990, Buster Douglas, a heavy-weight boxer competing against world-renowned Mike Tyson, would experience just that.
The Underdog
You see, in the world of boxing, there are three types of participants: good boxers, skilled fighters, and straight killers. And that fateful night, we had two boxers in two very different camps.
Mike Tyson could easily be categorized as a straight killer. Not only was he talented in the ring, but growing up in Brooklyn, he manifested his childhood pain and struggle through his hands. To go up against Mike Tyson was to go up against someone who had the power to destroy anything in his way.
Now, Buster Douglas, on the other hand, was just a good boxer. No one believed he would come close to winning the match that day. It was not a question of whether or not he would win but when he would get knocked out.
The bell rings, and the match begins. Round one goes by; Buster is still standing. Round two comes and goes; he is still going strong. Round three goes on, followed by four, five, and six, and finally, by round ten, a body hits the floor. But it wasn’t Buster Douglas; it was Mike Tyson. Buster achieved what everyone thought was impossible. He beat Mike Tyson.
The Moment of Truth
Eight months later, on October 25, 1990, Buster Douglas heads to the ring to defend his Heavyweight Title against Evander Holyfield. This match, known as “The Moment of Truth,” leaves spectators holding their breath as the underdog takes his place.
Douglas shocks the audience, showing up to the match noticeably out of shape, overweight, and completely unprepared. And the question that night wasn’t how long until Douglas knocks out Holyfield, but “What happened to Buster Douglas?”
The match begins, and sadly, Buster Douglas is knocked out in the third round. While the spectators were all wondering how he got off course so quickly, one commentator responded, “Some people are just structured to fail.”
This comment was meant for Buster, but it resonated with me, too.
You see, there are characteristics within us that help us succeed, but there are also things that cause us to feel stuck, preventing us from living the life God calls us to. And while we are in good company, we also have been given a new identity that isn’t defined by our past mistakes or hang-ups.
Together, let’s explore how Jesus can change our negative thought patterns as we embrace the life He has given us.
How Jesus Changes Our Negative Thinking
Simon, a fisherman, grew up in Israel during the life of Jesus.
In that culture, so much of who you were was defined by your name. (Consider it your permanent, lifelong business card.) People not only looked at you through a lens of who your family was but also what your name meant and the profession you were in.
Unfortunately, Simon didn’t have the luxury we have when deciding who we will be. He couldn’t tell others, “Oh, I am just fishing right now, but I am taking classes at the community college to pursue my law degree.” If he started as a fisherman, he would die as a fisherman. He was stuck.
But when he meets a man named Jesus of Nazareth, everything changes.
Jesus Invites Us to Wonder
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).”
John 1:35-36, 40-41, NIV
During this time, the Messiah was considered by many skeptics to be a myth. Sure, there were religious leaders who often prophesied about this coming Messiah, but in actuality, it had been hundreds of years, and they had yet to see this person. Leading most people to believe he was a fairy tale.
Yet, Simon, in his curiosity, decided to go see about this man.
Where in your faith are you struggling to believe truth? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a supernatural wonder as you explore who He is.
Jesus Gives Us a New Identity
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon’s son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).”
John 1:42, NIV
Jesus offers Simon a new identity. He is not defined by his occupation or even the name he was born into. He will be known as a Rock or forerunner of Christ’s church.
Even though Jesus doesn’t change the name of everyone he comes across, He always offers a new identity. The person you are when you were born is not the person you will be when you encounter the lovingkindness of Jesus.
He will change your life forever and for the better.
Jesus Offers a Greater Purpose
Simon, now Peter, embraced his new name but also remained a fisherman.
A big misconception many of us have is that after he gets his new name, Peter begins following Jesus. However, it takes two more encounters with Jesus until he is all in. The first is when Jesus asks Peter to follow him, which he tries for a while but ultimately resorts back to fishing. And the second time, as Peter is fishing, Jesus asks to teach on his boat.
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they have done so, they caught such many fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boats to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Luke 5: 4-8, 10, NIV
Jesus offered Peter a greater purpose. In this moment, He showed him that Peter could do greater things when He was in his midst. His life would no longer be summed up as just a fisherman, but he would become a fisher of men, changing the world around him.
In fact, with Jesus, Peter would be a part of the miracles of feeding the five thousand, walking on water, casting out demons, and seeing the dead come to life.
And the same goes for you, too. When Jesus steps into our narrative, we will encounter greater things than we could ever imagine.
Jesus Does Not Define Us By Our Past
After a few years of ministry with Jesus, the night approaches when he is arrested.
A strong-willed Peter is adamant that he would not stand for any harm to come to Jesus. Peter would defend Him and stay by his side the entire time. However, Jesus reveals that when the rooster crows three times, Peter will have denied him three times. And that’s precisely what happened.
Like many people in our culture, Peter could have been known for his fear, abandonment of a friend, or betrayal of Jesus in his darkest moment. But instead, he is known for his wholehearted pursuit of Jesus after his resurrection.
We are not defined by our lowest moment.
We are not defined by the most difficult habit we are trying to break.
And we are not defined by our rejection of a Savior who gives us new life.
Peter, a mere fisherman, denied Jesus in His most critical time but went on to lead a revolution for Christ that is still unfolding today. Like Peter, God is inviting you to a greater story.
2 Corinthians 5:17 in the NIV says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
If you are in Christ, you are no longer bound by the past. You are a new creation with a new heart and spirit.
And rest assured, if He did it for Peter, He will do it for you, too.
For more on how Jesus changes our identities, check out Pastor Stephen’s sermon, For This Reason.
