According to studies across the globe, as well as daily experiences around us, many will agree that we are living in a time where mental soundness is on a decline. A lot of ills happening around us highlight the state and progressive decline of our mental health and wellness. According to a recent study, in South Africa, the decline in mental wellness is greatly impacted by the consistently increasing rate of unemployment, which in turn affects stability and security in people's livelihood. It is this uncertainty that breeds fear in one's mind, compromising their ability to behave sound. This is how much power our minds possess in shaping the people we become. The Bible speaks about the importance of a good state of mind in various passages. Looking into the scriptural passage below, let's explore this power locked up in our minds.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' II Timothy 1:7(NKJV)
A SOUND MIND
The dictionary defines the adjective 'sound' as secure, reliable, sensible, thorough, without damage and without hurt. When the uncertainties of the world invade our minds with all kinds of fear-striking scenarioswe must not allow ourselves to be sucked into these holes so deepthat we are overwhelmed with hopelessness. The Word of The Lord calls for us toremember that living in fear is not how God intends for us to live. The more weallow our minds to dwell on such unfavourable scenariosthe more we lose ourfooting and hope. In Phillippians 4:8, the Bible advises us to fix our minds only on things that are praise-worthy. We must always remember that whatever things we give residence in our minds, will grow in our lives. A mind set on negative things will breed a harvest of ill emotions, hopelessness, confusion, alienation, a perverted view of the world and those around them. When our minds are allowed to wonder the streets of negativity, we even lose who we are. Our identity gets twisted and we are left with a figment of our corrupted minds.
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LOOK AFTER YOUR MIND
The Bible reminds us that God has given us (an already accomplished task) a reliable, secure, healthy and thorough mind. How then do we sift through the clutter and noise to lay a hold of this sound mind? God has given us capacity and will to choose which report to believe. At times, it is easier to believe the report based on what we see around us. Yet, there is also the report of the Lord concerning our today and tomorrow. We may not see what our future holds, and even be attacked by possible fearful thoughts of its uncertainty; yet God also offers hope and peace if we allow our minds to rest in His promise. He is able to take us through even the storms we may not see as possible to overcome. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace all whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You' (NKJV). What we focus our minds determines the path and tone of our livelihood. When our minds wander through fear filled paths, we lose our peace. Focusing our minds on the possible goodness set before us by God, even when we don't know how we attain it yet, we live hopeful and peaceful lives. Guard where your mind goes.
