Mental health is a topic that most people don’t like to talk about. But our mental health is extremely important. The way we think and process things can affect our lives tremendously.
Every single action begins with a thought. If we don’t think it, then the reality is we won’t do it. This is why the battle of the mind is so important. It’s why God wants to renew our minds. Romans 12:2 tells us that the renewing of our mind is transformative. It transforms us and changes us.
The battle of the mind is a continuous challenge that we face every day. It’s important that we understand this and seek to give our thoughts to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us: “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
As thoughts come into our head, we have to process them. Is this thought something that I should act on or not? Is it something that would please the Lord or is it something that goes against His character?
Romans 8: 6 says: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” An unmanaged mind leads to pain and conflict. While a managed mind leads to peace.
Pastor Rick Warren talks a lot about mental health and he gives this advice about cultivating a healthy mind:
1. Feed Your Mind with Truth – The Bible is our soul food. We don’t just read it to check off a box for the day. We read it to discover God’s truth and to apply it to our lives.
2. Free Your Mind of Destructive Thoughts – We can become prisoners of our own thoughts. We’ve been told all kinds of untrue things about ourselves. We have to give those things to the Lord and allow His truth to wash over us.
3. Focus on the Right Things – Philippians 4:8 tells us: “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Often times we focus on the bad things in this world, but God is calling us to focus on Him.
This is some great advice. I’ve heard it said that we become what we think about most. And every day is a battle of the mind. As we learn to manage our minds, it opens the door for better mental health as we become transformed by the renewing of our minds.
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