With the New Year at hand we think in terms of goals of what we would like to accomplish in the coming 12 months. Maybe weight loss, traveling, a mission opportunity or something else. Frequently New Year’s resolutions focus on becoming healthier physically and for Christians often we also have goals for our spiritual walk.

What kind of goal would you set for your mind and emotions? Learning what a healthy mind looks like will help us see where we want to be. According to Dr. Leaf ‘research shows that around 87% of illnesses can be attributed to our thought life, and approximately 13% to diet, genetics and environment. Studies conclusively link more chronic diseases (also known as lifestyle diseases) to an epidemic of toxic emotions in our culture. These toxic emotions can cause migraines, hypertension, strokes, cancer, skin problems, diabetes, infections and allergies just to name a few.” (Who Switched Off My Brain, p 4) When I began to understand that the toxic state of my thoughts could cause me this much physical damage I knew that I wanted to work with God to find a way out.

God wants our minds to be in a state of peace. Look at Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When I think of peace it involves a state of rest, lack of anxiety. Webster’s dictionary defines peace as ‘freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.’ Through Jesus God has given us the gift and ability to have a peaceful mind. In John 14:27 Jesus makes us the promise ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.’

 

Peace is available to us but we do have to receive it. Part of that includes learning to reject the thoughts that are not peaceful. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says we must tear down arguments and strongholds taking them captive to Christ.

There are many things that get in the way of our peace.

  • Anxiety or worry.
  • Fear
  • Unforgiveness
  • Guilt/Shame
  • A wandering mind or daydreaming
  • Lack of boundaries

Over the next weeks we will be discussing how these things hinder us from living at peace.

Life Coach Moment

On a scale of 1 to 10 with how would you rate your peace of mind? Are you at peace always, sometimes or never?

Think back over the past week, can you pinpoint an instance when you quickly went from a state of peace to a state of stress? What triggered this response? Was it bad news, an unpleasant interaction, a reminder of something painful, pressure from outside?

How percentage of your day is your mind in a peaceful state?

Renew Your Mind in Truth

Meditate on Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

 

As you dwell on these verses jot down some things that come to mind when you reflect on God’s peace. Do you think in terms only of peace at knowing that if you are saved you are going to heaven or do you think in terms of daily moment by moment peace available to you?

This Psalm speaks of many different things that might be troubling our minds such as lack of provision (vs 1), a tough time in life (vs 4), fear (vs 4) and yet in the midst of these challenges He restores our soul and has us sit to feast at His table. It is a picture of peace in adversity. If God could bring peace to David in his troubles He can bring peace to you.

Prayer

Father, Thank You for Your peace that is available to me all the time. I want to dwell in Your peace and to be led gently beside the still waters.

 

 

Naomi
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The Goal of renewing Your Mind in Peace with God
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