I remember a once popular saying – “You are what you eat.” I guess the intent was to make people think about what foods they consumed because what we put into our bodies will determine the overall health of our bodies. Healthy food = a healthy body. Unhealthy food = an unhealthy body more prone to illness and disease.
It would seem the same idea is true for our minds as well. What we “feed” our minds has a tremendous impact on our mental health. This is nothing new. It is not a new age revelation or discovery. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs we read this –
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)
Truly nothing new under the sun as King Solomon was always so quick to point out. The human condition does not change. We are or we become what we eat. We are or we become what we spend our time thinking about. This would explain why Paul wrote this instruction to the believers at Colosse-
“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
So I am supposed to “set my mind on things above.” Why? Well, Paul gave this instruction to the church at Corinth –
“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)
Better I take my thoughts “captive”, choosing what I will think about and what I will focus on than to allow my thoughts to be “captured” by current social media or by the deceits of the enemy of my soul, who is known as “the father of lies.” Choosing what I will spend my time thinking about, dwelling on, is important because these daily choices will determine my future. Consider this warning in Proverbs –
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
What I choose to fill my mind with will determine where I end up. In Romans, there is this advice –
“Do 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)
Set my mind on things above, take captive every thought, renew my mind with God’s word – all choices I can make every day. Because, as I think – so I will be.
The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians this great advice –
“Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
Turns out God’s living and active Word, My Heavenly Father’s thoughts, are a great antidote to the ill effects of social media and current culture’s thoughts on my mind and on my heart. I have God’s promise recorded in Isaiah –
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
The antidote to my fear, anxiety and worry is thinking about and spending time with my Heavenly Father, listening to Him and filling my mind with His thoughts, which are shared with you and me in His Living Word. I can choose to keep my mind “stayed upon my Creator.” I can choose to let my Redeemer take my every thought captive. I can choose to let God renew my mind with the cleansing of His living and active Word.
I can choose. But what I choose to dwell on, what thoughts I choose to fill my mind, these will determine the course, the quality and the outcome of my life. I’d better choose wisely.
“Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My doors, waiting at My doorway. For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:34-35)
sincerely, Grace Day
