Have you ever knelt near a brook and watched the ripples of the water slowly fade into a gentle trickle until you can no longer see the effects of the original swell? There is an unrequited tranquility, a hush of quiet, sweeping over the brook, transcending the body, mind, spirit, and soul. It’s transformative. The pages of scripture are bathed in instruction concerning the presence of a sound mind. When I envision a sound mind, I imagine this bubbling brook demonstrating the power of peace, control, and flow. A sound mind does not race, it slowly stills and releases each thought, not granting any power to one single musing, but letting each fade, just as the ripples in the brook. The innerworkings of the brain are so complex and multifaceted, but God, in His Word, provides us with beautiful pictures illustrating the power of our minds.

“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 NIV

Forget the former things. To forget implies the mind is passive and uncontrollable. Forgetting is an automatic cognitive process that occurs with the passing of time and very little responsibility on our part. However, when we dig a little deeper, we can unearth transformational truths. So instead let’s approach this same verse in the Hebrew context to gleam greater insight into the Lord’s instruction. The original translated Hebrew text reads, “Do not call to mind the former things.” Isaiah 43:18a ASB

Wow. This is mind blowing (pun intended). The presence of the term “call to mind” changes our assumed responsibility. Calling to mind (Hebrew: zakar) is an action, not a passive process. When we call something to mind, it is the act of bringing to memory or bringing to attention. When we view the text with Hebrew eyes, our responsibility shifts. The verb- call to mind- establishes that we cannot excuse our responsibility because we are in full control over what we call to mind. We have the choice to call things of old or things of new to mind because God has given us the power of renewing our minds, day by day, moment by moment. This passage demonstrates this truth poignantly.

“Yet this I call to mind, and therefore have hope. Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-22 NIV

Jeremiah was surrounded on all sides with the desolation of Jerusalem at his feet. He stood where the house of the Lord had fallen and was in shambles. Yet, in this moment, he made a choice to turn his mind. In context, he had every reason to be hopeless. But he chose to call to mind truth and praises. When he recalled the character of God, his perspective completely shifted and he was able to see his current situation in a new light, with greater revelation.

Ladies, we too, can choose to turn our minds!

The mind is the governing force of every human action. Did you know: our thoughts inform our emotions and feelings, and our emotions inform our actions and behaviors. The mind is the crux. We can’t miss this, because the mind is at the forefront of everything we say and do. Therefore, when the mind is controlled, the other pieces fall in step. This is how God made our brains.

We are going to dig into the neuroscience a bit but stick with me!

Physiologically to switch paths in our brain, a new neural pathway must be formed. When we consistently take one path in our brain, it is paved over and over, like a well paved road. It becomes a default response or automatic action. However, turning our mind requires recognizing the automatic, stopping it dead in its tracks, and switching routes manually. Our brains have the ability to modify, change, and adapt in structure and function. This process is called neuroplasticity.

But here is the kicker- this process takes time, repetition, and conscious awareness.

Neuroplasticity can take place in a month, or even, several years. Therefore, turning your mind requires mindfulness and consistency. Jeremiah had to practice, over and over, calling the things of the Lord to his mind. True, it isn’t easy and, yes, it takes time. But know this, in our thought life, the Lord gave us the gift of choice.

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct him! But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV

Once we gain control of our minds, we get to choose to receive mind of Christ! What an astonishing truth!  But how do we truly practice the mind of Christ? Scripture gives us the answer:

“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.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

Choosing the mind of Christ means reciting and thinking about the things of Christ so we can receive everlasting peace, producing a sound mind in us. Doesn’t this sound familiar? Jeremiah meditated on the things of God, not his circumstance.

We have the power of choice. Do not call to mind the former things. I don’t know about you, sis, but, to me, this revelation is chilling! I don’t have to wait for my mind to forget, I get to choose what I call to mind. And just as the brook stills with the ripples slowly and surely. So is the same with our minds.

Ladies, it is time to practice the gift of a sound mind.

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management