Desires Redefined

I recently read an excellent description of the battle for our mind, our emotion and our will. In his book, "Pursuit of Holiness," Jerry Bridges writes the following:

"When God originally created man, the reason, the emotions and the will all worked in perfrect harmony. Reason led the way in understanding the will of God, the will consented to God's will, and the emotions delighting in doing it. But with the entrance of sin into man's soul, these three faculties began working at cross purposes to one another and to God. The will has become stubborn and rebellious and will not consent to that which reason knows to be the will of God. Or, more commonly, the emotions get the upper hand and draw away both reason and will from obedience to God."

My prayer is that in thought after thought, desire after desire and choice after choice that all my thinking, longing and choosing will be brought into submission to the Creator God who designed me for more than a life manipulated by passing feelings (1 John 5:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). May I grow in my knowledge of Christ, thereby experiencing the continued transformation of my mind and thoughts which will redefine my love and desires (Romans 12:1-2)--from earthly passions to longing for that which exists beyond this earth (Philippians 3:14-4:1; Colossians 3:1-4). May my longing for heaven redefine today's choices from obeying my feelings to obeying my God!