Blog - Managing our Minds
There is much to think about lately – difficult life circumstances, family life, church life, national and international unrest, our lives and communities and all that these encompass. It’s no wonder our minds and souls become weary. Maybe more than weary, even to the point of feeling crushed. Every individual on this earth is having their own unique experience, and the good news is that God knows and cares about you. He cares about all that affects His earth and all who inhabit it.
One wise church leader instructed us to “think about what you are thinking about.” How we protect our minds from overwhelm and harmful thinking is a subject in which God offers assistance. His Word gives us life in the area of the mind:
Philippians 4:4-8 AMPC
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
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.
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].
Isaiah 26:3-4, AMPC
3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
Colossians 3:1-3 AMPC
3 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
Romans 12:2 AMPC
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 AMPC
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPC
16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
Romans 8:6 AMPC
6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
We can experience inner life and peace now and forever! What a gift and a blessing from God! Knowing that thinking WITH God and relying on His truth and wisdom can save us a lot of overthinking and anxiety. He will guide us as to what is best to do or not do, and how to think well with Him, trusting Him and relying on Him in every situation. Our busy minds can be transformed into Christ-like minds ; we have the mind of Christ! We can think with the Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Lord, You are fully aware of each of Your children, who they are and what each detail looks like in their lives. Your compassion and your care are supreme and deeply personal. Help us lean on You, learn from You, and think with You according to Your word. Lift the fear, anxiety, and rumination from each of us, and advance Your kingdom in us and through us in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Q: What did you learn from the listed Scriptures?
Q: Which Scripture helped you the most with your own mindset?
One wise church leader instructed us to “think about what you are thinking about.” How we protect our minds from overwhelm and harmful thinking is a subject in which God offers assistance. His Word gives us life in the area of the mind:
Philippians 4:4-8 AMPC
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
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.
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].
Isaiah 26:3-4, AMPC
3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
Colossians 3:1-3 AMPC
3 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
Romans 12:2 AMPC
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 AMPC
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPC
16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
Romans 8:6 AMPC
6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
We can experience inner life and peace now and forever! What a gift and a blessing from God! Knowing that thinking WITH God and relying on His truth and wisdom can save us a lot of overthinking and anxiety. He will guide us as to what is best to do or not do, and how to think well with Him, trusting Him and relying on Him in every situation. Our busy minds can be transformed into Christ-like minds ; we have the mind of Christ! We can think with the Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Lord, You are fully aware of each of Your children, who they are and what each detail looks like in their lives. Your compassion and your care are supreme and deeply personal. Help us lean on You, learn from You, and think with You according to Your word. Lift the fear, anxiety, and rumination from each of us, and advance Your kingdom in us and through us in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Q: What did you learn from the listed Scriptures?
Q: Which Scripture helped you the most with your own mindset?