The Power of Our Minds

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Our mind is a battleground and it is super strong! We can use our thoughts for good things, and also for not-so-good things. Just as Ellen White describes Satan's influence, negative forces fight for our attention.  The content on social media we consume, the kind of friends we keep, and even our own internal dialogue all shape our thoughts and feelings.

Remember what Ellen White says,  “The influence of mind on mind, so strong a power for good when sanctified, is equally strong for evil in the hands of those opposed to God. This power Satan used in his work of instilling evil into the minds of the angels, and he made it appear that he was seeking the good of the universe.... Cast out of heaven, Satan set up his kingdom in this world, and ever since, he has been untiringly striving to seduce human beings from their allegiance to God. He uses the same power that he used in heaven—the influence of mind on mind. Men become tempters of their fellow men. The strong, corrupting sentiments of Satan are cherished, and they exert a masterly, compelling power.” SDA Bible Commentary 7:973.

Think about the last time you felt discouraged. Was it after a conversation with a critical friend? Scrolling through social media negativity?  Perhaps even our own thoughts have been dwelling on past mistakes, even though God has already forgiven them.

Now, consider the opposite. When were you last filled with joy, hope, or inspiration?  Did a kind word from a loved one spark this feeling? Maybe a beautiful sunset or a passage from scripture uplifted your spirit.

The power of our minds lies in this very cause-and-effect. We can be intentional about the influences we allow in and the thoughts we cultivate. Indeed, our minds are super powerful because our thoughts affect how we feel. This means we can pick what kind of things we think about and who we spend time with!
Deeper Reflection:
1.     Sometimes our minds might wander towards thoughts that don't reflect God's love. What kind of thoughts are these?
2.     Do certain things or people lead us away from feeling God's peace? Maybe a show, website, or even someone we know?
3.     Who or what helps us feel closer to God and filled with His light? How can we spend more time with these influences or activities?

Remember, Philippians 2:5 urges us to have the "mind of Christ Jesus."  Christ's mind was one of compassion, forgiveness, and unwavering faith.

If we give more attention to worldly things, evil habits like weeds can grow without you even noticing them! Our mind need a healing and the good news is Jesus can help you heal your mind! Just like a gardener pulls weeds and plants good seeds, Jesus can help you get rid of those evil habits and negative thoughts and fill your mind with His love and peace. Ellen White says, “Christ is the greatest of all physicians. He is a physician of the soul as well as of the body. Had He not come to this world to redeem us from Satan's hellish power, we would have had no hope of gaining eternal life.... Let us not point minds to erring human beings. Let us say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.” Letter 130, 1901.

Sulad Jhun Cardeinte writes from Adventist International Institute of Advance Studies (AIIAS) Silang, Cavite, Philippines. His email address is acardeinte@aiias.edu

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To read the previous blog articles, go to SULADS Thailand website and click blog section. Direct link below; https://www.suladsthailand.com/blog-1/

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