Daily pearls from the shore 🫧

Mind games

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. “ (Matthew 12:43-45)

As the saying goes, “an empty mind is a devil’s den”.

This is what is happening with the people struggling with anxious thoughts, panic attacks, and confusion nowadays.
The text about the empty house also shows a similar picture of a troubled mind.

When we try to fix our troubled minds with quick fixes without finding the trigger and replacing it, initially, it seems all clear, only to relapse worse than the first time.

The truth is, if we leave our minds empty after removing the negative thoughts, there are chances of recurrence of the same or similar thoughts. And repeated failures in coming right result in further worsening of our mental condition.

What is the pot-hole here that needs to be filled? It is a void in our minds that needs to be filled with something stronger than those negative thoughts.

Paul writes, “We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)

“How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.” (Matthew 12: 29)

Basically, something stronger than the negativity is required to occupy our mind, so that we may operate in sanity and peace.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

Negativity brings fear, which further leads to anxious thoughts of uncertainty and insecurity, and this keeps on repeating, adding to the magnitude of fear, and manifests in the physical body as racing hearts, breathlessness, and panic attacks.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)

Some people try meditating on positive thoughts, which is not wrong, but positive thoughts not rooted in faith in someone more able and promising are like leaving a seed unattended on a rock. Birds can eat it, wind can blow it away, and the sun can scorch it, and it won’t find any root in the mind. So, people rote-learn affirmations that aren't rooted in faith, and it leaves them weary.

What is actually required is something stronger, alive, and effective that can edify and enable the person for the long run.
That is why we confront the negative thought, as Paul says, and demolish it, and then take the thought captive and make our minds obedient to Christ.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

The things of Heaven are the seeds that can find root and occupy the empty mind.

And what are these things?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learnt and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)

BECAUSE FAITH IS THE ABILITY THAT GIVES POWER TO THE MIND TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THOUGHTS.

Proverbs 4:23, which states: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it", emphasises protecting your heart (which represents the mind) from all negativity because what it carries, it will deliver.

“For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)

And whatever we speak, our mind receives. Hence, we need to watch what goes in because that will come out.