The new normal
During this hour of complexity and perplexity to say the least, our mind and body are finding it difficult to reconcile on a landing spot, most times. This is what we call the “new normal.”
Normal means, “conforming to a standard; and the usual, typical state or condition.” This comes from the Latin word norma, which is a carpenter’s square, as well as means precept and rule. A carpenter’s square is a right-angled type ruler used for the many building elements in a house from framing, putting on a roof, and building stairs. It is used to TEST all right angles. A saying you will hear similar to “she must be losing her mind,” is “the carpenter who built this room must have lost his square.”
The carpenter square brings a standard to a house, in order to reveal its state, its condition. This is what is considered NORMAL. Likewise, within our mind and body there is an invisible carpenter’s square, constantly bringing us “normal.” 24-7 our mind and body are trying to hit the same landing spot, where they agree on what normal is. Unfortunately, when we are experiencing things we have not before, that muddles what we believe to be normal.
As a result, if we are not vigilant, we can become panicky or anxious in the midst of this transition into a new normal. Understand this, once you have been to a new normal, it is difficult to return back to the old. Our minds have gone a place we have not been before, due to the emotional language of dis-ease (disturbance) within the body, requiring us to pull on a greater grace to bring us to the landing place of God’s peace.
Looking at the mind and body separate; we know that they speak two different languages. The language of the mind is our condition and the language of our body is emotions. We begin to see a shaft of light come into the dark places of our soul, bringing wisdom, so that we realize; WE UNDERSTAND, that the body does not speak the language of the mind and vice-versa. At least this brings solace of some sort, still giving us hope to know that there is SOMETHING that brings a connection to the two.
Here in the state of finding a new landing space, peace brings that connection. It is God’s perfect peace that rules our heart, and His all surpassing peace, which surpasses our understanding. (Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15)
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 AMPC
15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMPC
Transcend in Philippians 4:7 is the Greek word hyperéchō pronounced hoop-er-ekh'-o meaning, “to hold oneself above, to excel, superior, better, excellency, higher, pass and supreme.” This comes from two Greek words hyper pronounced hoop-er' meaning, “over and above,” and échō pronounced ekh'-o meaning, “to hold, keep, recover, rest, etc.” Therefore, transcend is a HYPER-ECHO, a sound that you are holding onto in your heart and mind that brings you rest, letting you know that you will be held together by that which is more excellent, He Who is higher! Transcend is meditating on the Truth of the Word, and the peace of God meeting you in that meditation to bring you to a HIGHER PLACE, to WISDOM!
The peace of God connects the mind and body. It brings a calm to the emotions that can easily give us over to the stress response, bringing a quietness to the sound of our mind, where we find ourselves being mindful of the moment. Our eyes opened to grace. We comprehend that we are blessed with those whom we love. We find ourselves no longer tossed easily by circumstances that would try and build another reality (frame) around our self-image. We resist, discovering that there is something greater in this place of mindfulness, by having the Mind of Christ, where we TRANSCEND. We go beyond what society would try to define as our normal, reaching beyond the natural and being led by the Spirit.
Those that are led by the Spirit are the sons and daughters of God. They are given over to the Mind of Christ Jesus, which is always consistent, because He is the TRUE CARPENTER. He brings His carpenter square, a measurement to build us up in the Word and the most holy faith, as we yield ourselves to His workmanship!
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC
The word carpenter originated from the Latin word carpentarius which means “carriage maker.” Carriage came from the Old French word cariage, which means TO CARRY! Carry means TO SUPPORT AND MOVE FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. Do you see this? The workmanship of Christ in this place of uncertainty in our life is that HE WILL CARRY US; He is our carriage, and we are the handiwork of being carried into HIS NORMAL; God does not change. Our seasons might change like the four seasons in the natural, but GOD DOES NOT CHANGE.
The enemy brings chaos against your mind, to bring you a new normal in relation to the issues of fear and trauma in your soul, which keeps one tied to a false reality, such as a socialist experiment that he wants us to believe is real. This you have to resist; you have to allow your heart and mind to TRANSCEND that which you have always known as normal, to receive the RIGHT-ANGLE, RIGHT-MESSAGE. If you change angle to angel, then instead of a corner you have a messenger! As you are kept in the framework of Christ, He makes us ready for every circumstance and every season! You receive the MESSENGER OF COVENANT, bringing His message, the RIGHT-MESSAGE!
Moving
Be still in the fullness and contentment of God’s joy, to where the place which you realize that you have lived in and want to leave has TURNED INTO PALACE! This happened to me recently! Do you see this? I have been wanting to move for a year now into another location five blocks away, and the door never opened. This was partly due to having new tenants in our apartment building that believed this was a frat house.
Consistently I have told the Lord that I am so grateful for this place but that I would be most appreciative if He could move me. I was looking for normal. The new tenants in the building tried to bring a “new norm” of partying to this location, which I have lived in for over three years. To say the least, I did not like it. However, something supernaturally occurred. I shifted in my heart and mind the other night, to a place of CONTENTMENT! I TRANSCENDED INTO A NEW NORM, by the CARPENTER! HE CARRIED ME THERE!
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
10 I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be CONTENT (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. Philippians 4:8-11 AMPC
In the mindfulness of God’s thoughts, I shifted from a place TO A PALACE!!!! JUST WOW!!! Do you see this? All it takes to change your place into a palace is an A! Alpha! The Beginning, Jesus Christ, the Carpenter, Who brings a contentment to your present circumstance to lift you up to a NEW NORM!
Content here in Philippians 4:11 is the Greek word autárkēs pronounced ow-tar'-kace meaning, “contented and content.” This comes from two Greek words, autos pronounced ow-tos' meaning “self,” and arkéō pronounced ar-keh'-o meaning, “BE CONTENT, BE ENOUGH, and BE SUFFICIENT.” Thus, the two words mean that WE ARE CONTENT WITH SELF! That is peace! That is transcendence!
In this hour as we transcend, realize the self-image is moving to a higher place, where your spiritual stability is established in Christ!
God Bless!
Robin Kirby-Gatto