Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

The health of your body is strongly connected to the health of your mind! People who need healing often want to dismiss teaching on the mind as unnecessary. However, studies have revealed that approximately 80% of all illnesses can be traced to the health of the mind. So we can see why it’s important to understand what the Bible teaches about the mind of man.

Every person on this planet has experienced feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. They can also be described as dread, worry, or sadness. For some, these emotions are very temporary. For others, it has become a way of life. Sometimes these emotions go unrecognized. This is not the will of God for His children. God’s plan for each of us is to have a SOUND MIND.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

God has given us the gift of a sound mind to effectively fight against fear in all its forms.

The Amplified Classic of 2 Tim 1:7 says this:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

This translation reveals there are four components of a sound mind, which is the topic of today’s blog.

1.     A sound mind is calm.

Synonyms for the word “calm” are tranquil, peaceful, quiet, and unruffled. One of the primary definitions of calm is “without hurried movement.”

Jesus is our great example of a person who lived in a state of calmness. There is not one place in the gospels where He is portrayed as being worried, hurried, or in a rush. Even at the news of Lazarus’ death, He didn’t respond with panic or despair. He actually waited two more days to go to Bethany.

If you find yourself always feeling rushed in life, it’s a spirit of fear driving you! Keep in mind that fear is a spirit that can be felt. God does not promise that we will never FEEL anxious or fearful. What He promises is a calm mind in the midst of fearful feelings. Don’t ever let the pressure of fear drive you to rush in life and make faulty decisions.  

Isaiah 28:16 says, He that believeth shall not make haste. He who believes or trusts in the Lord will not rush or become panicky about situations.

2.     A sound mind is well balanced.

No one can be well balanced apart from the Word of God. As we take in God’s thoughts by reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture, our minds become more well balanced.

A quality life begins when we acknowledge that God is smarter than we are!

The reason that the angel Lucifer became Satan is he began to think his thoughts were higher than God’s thoughts. And did you know that every time we choose our thoughts over God’s thoughts, we are doing the same thing Lucifer did? If we choose to embrace thoughts that contradict the Word of God, things will not end well for us either.

1 Peter 5:8 AMPC says,

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

The more we allow the Word of God to permeate our minds and hearts, the more well balanced we will be, and the more we will enjoy God’s peace.

3.     A sound mind is disciplined.

True freedom comes from discipline. Without disciplining the mind, bondage to wrong thinking, speaking, and behavior is inevitable. Discipline seems to have become a dirty word in our day. Many people have cast off restraint and want to be applauded for it.

Discipline can be defined as “the practice of training to obey a code of behavior.” It is developed by instructing, educating, and informing the mind in correct principles and habits. We can actually develop our minds to respond to negative situations with what the Word of God says instead of yielding to fear.

In the first few years after I was set free from panic attacks, feelings of anxiety would frequently try to come back. But by disciplining my mind not to react to fear, I ended up having authority over fear instead.

Without discipline, there is no success in life! There’s no doubt that discipline requires effort. But the reward of disciplining our thoughts and words is PEACE.

4.     A sound mind is self-controlled.

Self-control is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter five.

If you are a child of God, you have the power to exercise self-control.

You can stop giving in to feelings of fear, worry, anxiety, and depression.

Galatians 5:24 says, And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Crucify means to put to death, and utterly destroy. Crucifying the flesh does not just include extinguishing desires, which are forbidden longings in the Greek. It includes crucifying passions, which are afflictions or pain of the mind or emotions. According to this verse, we are supposed to crucify wrong thoughts or emotions that try to take control of us.

Anxiety and depression are spiritual influences that seek to gain access. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can crucify or take charge of wrong thoughts and emotions. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into anxiety or depression. He will always remind us of what God’s Word says. He will prompt us to use our spiritual authority over them.

At the first sign of fear or sadness, do these two things:

- Speak to it! Say, “Fear and sadness, I resist you in the name of Jesus! God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. I command you to leave now!”

- Worship Jesus. He is the wonderful Healer and Deliverer! As you worship Him, the influence of fear and sadness will leave.

The more we practice standing against wrong thoughts and emotions, the more skillful we will become, and the more peaceful we will be. And the more we walk in God’s peace, the healthier our bodies will be!

(This teaching is an excerpt out of Christine Miller's book, UNTROUBLED: Conquering Anxiety, Fear and Depression. We encourage you to get the book, not only if you struggle with anxiety and depression, but also if you’re desiring healing in your body.) Click here to purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DDse08

If you're in the Aurora/Naperville area and are looking for a church that teaches the uncompromising Word of God, we invite you to visit Abundant Life Family Church. As a Word and Spirit church, we are committed to helping believers grow in faith, experience the power of God, and walk in His promises. Our services are filled with dynamic worship, Bible-based teaching, and an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit moves. Whether you’re searching for a church home or seeking a deeper relationship with God, we welcome you to join us and be part of a thriving community of faith!