Peace of mind

14 February 2014

I wrote yesterday that spiritual battles begin in the mind.

Scripture provides insight into how I can protect my mind in the Spirit. For example, Paul told us what to think about in Philippians:

“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.”

I tend to over-emphasise the importance or significance of what is going wrong, rather than what is going right. My flesh keeps wanting to focus on my troubles and pitiful state and i am tempted to let it overcome everything else in my life that is is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. That is perhaps why Paul wrote the verse as a reminder.

I spoke to a brother of mine today and he asked how he could pray for me. I told him that honestly, i didn’t necessarily need God to change my situation or the circumstances causing me anxiety because such things were part of everyday life and i felt it is sometimes necessary to deal with difficulties for my own development. But i did need God to help me guard my heart and mind from becoming angry or hostile everytime i am met with difficulty. I felt it was more important that i could get through this with my heart and mind guarded with the peace of Christ, rather than God removing this difficulty for me. My attitude in resolving the situation was more important rather than having the situation resolved.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

Let’s be honest, the situation and circumstances causing us anxiety may not change overnight, but what can change in an instant is how our hearts and minds are affected by such things. If i present my anxiety to God, He tells me that He will guard my heart and mind in the peace of Christ.

God, i now present my burdens to You, I do not ask that you remove or prevent difficulties from coming into my life, but rather God, that you set your seal of peace over my heart and mind. Guard them in Christ Jesus so that i learn to rejoice in all circumstances.