Week 7: DeStressing our Minds

I think we underestimate the power of our minds, and so also the resource that it is for doing the Lord's work in our lives.

From the beginning of the Israel, God spoke to His people about keeping his faithfulness on the forefront of their minds.

As part of their law, he called them to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates..." Deut 11:19-20

God knows we are forgetful people. He knows we must be reminded, and keep both his promises and His faithfulness always before us. He called the Israelites to regularly recall His great acts of power in their nation..because He knew they would forget. He knew that His great power would fade in their memory unless it was ever before them. He knew what their minds were capable of, and how they fell short.

He asks the Israelites and, likewise us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength." Deut 6:5 and Mark 12:30

And, we are called to Christ and in order to become what we are meant to, we are required to ".. not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Our minds are a powerful tool in the hand of the God who created it. We need to make sure we are making it available to the Spirit for His work in us.

How?

By being aware of our thoughts. By not buying into the lies of the world around us, that tell us that we can't help what we think, and that as long as they stay thoughts they are harmless. "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

We must be willing..."And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever" I Chronicles 28:9

We must replace ungodly, anxious thoughts with prayer and praise, "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23

Oh, and while we are thinking on such things ...what are ungodly thoughts? "Easy..." :)

In case you dont have it memorized yet ...""whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

This week, work on decluttering your mind. Ask God to help you identify those thoughts that are not useful to His will in your life, and then ask Him to give you the strength and ability to get RID of them, get CONTROL of them, get a new PERSPECTIVE on them, and give them to God, again!


Pondering Point: What thoughts do I struggle with that are wasteful of the resources of my mind given me by my Creator?

Verse of the Week: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 ...I know, but it is such a great verse!

Discussion Questions: In what ways do you see that you or others are wasting our mental resources? By mentally comparing yourself with others? By unhealthy thoughts about yourself? By pondering things that arent worthy of a christian woman?