Andrew was excited as his daughter climbed onto the school bus for her first day of kindergarten. But the other children looked so much bigger. She seemed small and helpless. Suddenly Andrew's mind began racing in a dozen directions. Fear overtook him. Only his wife's reassuring hand on his arm prevented Andrew from jumping in the car and following the bus. Shari planned to present her idea to her supervisor that morning. But as she wove her way through commuter traffic, a doubtful thought crossed her mind. Suddenly she was uncertain and insecure. By the time she reached her office, Shari had discarded her proposal altogether.  | |
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Like Andrew and Shari, you have likely noticed how your thoughts affect how you feel ... which leads to how you act. The good news for Christ-followers is this: God helps us understand when our thoughts get off His course. We can renew our minds by replacing our fearful, doubting thoughts with God's truth. How scripture uncovers the mind-heart connection Two translations of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 draw this clear connection between the mind and the heart: "Comfort the feeble-minded" (KJV) and "Encourage the fainthearted" (NAS). The feeble-minded person is one in the same as a fainthearted person. Feeble thoughts can meddle with our hearts and lead to unreliable and foolish behavior. Scripture tells us that we need not simply accept untruthful or ineffective thoughts blindly. Instead, we can "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Andrew could identify his fear and replace it with trust in God's protection for his daughter. Shari could understand her insecurity and declare her completeness in Christ. Identifying and cultivating that kind of thought process - the mind of Christ - leads to wise and discerning behavior. Your choice: a feeble mind or the mind of Christ? Anyone who has studied for an exam knows it is much easier not to exercise the mind. Yet the result of learning is growth. In the same way, Christians have a choice: we can allow thoughts to drive our hearts away from God's best for us ... or we can embrace the overwhelming opportunity to follow thoughts that let us be Christ-like in our actions. Which will you choose? 
Growth Point
Your thought process drives your actions.
Scripture
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2, NIV)
Growth Point- For a day, a half day, or an hour, make note of how your thoughts drive your actions.
- Study scriptures that address the state of your mind (Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Timothy 1:7, James 1:8.) What conclusions can you draw?
- Describe what motivates you to have thoughts that reflect the mind of Christ.
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We can renew our minds by replacing our fearful, doubting thoughts with God's truth. It's one more way to cultivate your spiritual health and keep growing! 
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"In the most recent issue of The Cultivator, you talked about staying plugged into God's power source. Specifically, you mentioned getting away in order to receive 'a complete download of His updates.' 