Greetings siblings
As you may have noticed, I’ve crossed time zones. My body has compensated for the difference in multiple ways, including later Nougats. My apologies.
Mental health is no longer a taboo subject. On the whole, it is discussed in very public spaces. But how often do we take our own mental health for granted? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat, and its implications for us.
Isaiah 26:3-4 CEB
[3] Those with sound thoughts you will keep in peace, in peace, because they trust in you.
[4] Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD is a rock for all ages.
Guard our Thought Life
We’ve probably heard it before. The battlefield is in the mind. Yes, what took the first couple out of the Garden was the eating of the fruit; but I would say that it was the evidence of the real battle. If we quickly revisit Genesis 3, we recall that the enemy of our souls started the conversation with a question. In that moment, an idea was planted in the mind. One that was contrary to anything previously processed. There was a shift in focus, a process, and a decision, followed by action. Action that signalled the shift in thinking. That separated humanity from God.
Self-Check
Are we able to trace the process that led to actions we’ve taken that led to harsh consequences?
Application
Now, let’s be clear – thinking isn’t wrong. Daring to question what is presented to us isn’t wrong. It is actually what God desires of us. Having questioned, we make (informed) decisions. Sometimes, it’s the wrong information, or it may be that we make a bad judgement call. In such cases, we might need to double check whether we consulted with God.
Now, that isn’t always soundness of mind. In fact, one can be functional in several things and be affected by residual trauma from previous experiences, hence being of unsound mind. Given that soundness of mind is also understood as the ability to empathise with others, it is possible that the rest of our life presents as ‘normal’. It may be that we’re unable to process consequences, which can affect relationships as well as our actions.
What all these seem to have in common is a split, a schism, if we may, in our thought patterns. That split, if left unattended, results in the loss of our peace (of mind). That’s not very good news.
But!
Our Nougat invites us to not only trace the root of the split, it also proposes that our God can fix it. Given that Y’shua Jesus IS the Prince of Peace, then inviting Him in, renewing our minds daily, and choosing to remember that in Christ we have the capacity for soundness of mind, it’s a great starting point. I pray that we find the grace to let go of whatever influences our decisions that denies us peace; that peace is restored wherever peace of mind is lost; and that, in focusing on Christ, we remain in His perfect Peace.
Point to Ponder
Are we willing to surrender pride or whatever else challenges our ability to receive God’s peace?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
