'A Sound Mind'

I was lying in bed the other night and everything was still. I could hear my little baby boy breathing next to me in his bassinet, safe and sound. My other little ones were finally sleeping, eyes closed...all was well. Now I could inhale for a second and enjoy some much needed quiet. But then there was my mind and it wasn't the mind I wanted. It wasn't the mind my Father wanted for me either. You know, this mind...

The 'sound mind' is often missing in my life. It's meaning is 'self-controlled'. If I restate the verse in Greek, the Lord is telling me He has given me a 'self-controlled' mind. That means I am partly responsible for having this 'type' of mind, "SELF" controlled.  The Christian life is one of faith and works. In this case, I have to have the faith to believe the Lord has given me a sound mind and my works, or my obedience, will grant me this beautiful gift. This 'sound mind'.

For me, that 'sound mind' or that 'self-controlled mind', comes from doing exactly what it means. I have to create an environment for my mind to be 'self-controlled'. I have to really lean into the Holy Spirit and change my 'mindset'. The Lord will help me, that's what the Holy Spirit is. He is 'the Helper'. Yet, just like with any parent, He gives me room to do my part as well. Which means for me, I have to get off the 'what-if' cliff. You know the 'what-if my child dies' or 'what-if my husband's cancer returns', 'what-if terrorists attack me in a store with my 5 little ones', 'what-if my mom dies or my sister or my....on and on and on. It's not a sound mind. So, if I read the verse AGAIN (which is the story of the Christian's life), I can see that this is not the mind God gave to me.

Where do I go to get away from all these crazy fearful and at times, paralyzing thoughts? I get stuck in my head. Stuck. Then I hear that ever so comforting voice....'Charity, 'I AM' the answer. 'I AM' the answer to all your fearful thoughts. 'I AM' all the power you need in this fallen world. 'I AM' the Love that makes the ending of this story on earth...beautiful. 'I AM' your sound mind because 'I AM' within you.

So I asked Him recently to teach me how to practice understanding that HE IS my "sound mind". And He ever so lovingly said, 'My child...just pray. Don't let you mind wander, tell me your thoughts and fears and then leave them all with Me. 'I' can handle them...you cannot.'

So the other night, when my mind started to wander, I did just that. I was overwhelmed when I went to bed later that night. My mind once again, was not sound. Then I decided to practice, just like I did in many sports for many years. I practiced and practiced and practiced. That night I prayed...and this time I decided to pray like a child, specifically like my four year old son, Carver. And this is how my prayer went...

The next morning I woke up to find out that the 'mastermind' of the Paris attacks had been taken down, along with two others. Now, I am sure there were many praying and I am also very aware that we live in a fallen world with a lot of evil, but He answered my prayer. I have known Him since I was young and He is still teaching me the simple truth of just talking to Him, because you know what? He's got it...and this time He showed me right away.

So, tell Him all your thoughts and all your fears. Isn't that what children do after all? You're never to "big" to tell your Father, you're scared. So, be honest with Him. He wants you to. Then close your eyes and rest easy. Let Him be the last One you talk to every night, when it's dark and all is still. He will hear you and He will comfort you.

​And remember...He can DO anything. He can even get the bad guys.
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all my love,
Charity