Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7
We all want LIFE AND HEALTH – right?
Many years ago, I was in history class. A classmate was called to the ‘blackboard’ (yes, it was that long ago) to write answers to part of our assignment.
He picked up a piece of chalk with his right hand – then pulled up his left sleeve and began to write.
The class rippled with laughter.
The student at the board stopped writing and gave a quizzical look to the class. Then, he return to the board, pulled up his left sleeve again and started to write with his right hand.
This time, the class erupted in laughter.
Obviously surprised, the student stopped writing, turned to face the class and asked, “What’s so funny. Why are you laughing?”
Another student in the class called out, “You are writing with you right hand but you keep pulling up your opposite sleeve.”
The student at the blackboard blushed, gave a sheepish green and nodded in acknowledgement.
The teacher instructed the class to calm down and for the student to finish his assignment.
The student turned to the blackboard, picked up the chalk with his right hand, pulled up his left sleeve…
The teacher had to cancel the assignment for the moment. He couldn’t stop laughing either.
Habits are powerful things. The American Journal of Psychology defines “a habit, from the standpoint of psychology, as a more or less a fixed way of thinking, willing, or feeling acquired through previous repetition of a mental experience.” Habitual behavior often goes unnoticed in persons exhibiting it, because a person does not need to engage in self-analysis when undertaking routine tasks. Habits are sometimes compulsory. New behaviors can become automatic through the process of habit formation.
This is not meant to be an essay on habits. So, let’s suffice it to say, there can be good habits and bad habits. And oft repeated habits that stimulate can become powerful addictions.
Habits are formed in our ‘secret place’. In our mind or “sub-conscious mind”. We don’t immediately SEE them, that is until they manifest in behavior.
The bible has something to say on this matter: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This comes from Proverbs 4. Read the entire section to get this in context.
4:20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26Give careful thought to thec paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Great advice, wouldn’t you say?
Romans 8:6 also tells us,
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
The MIND set on the Spirit is Life and Peace.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
So, where do we start?
TODAY. Right now. Choose your favorite Bible verse and begin, right now, to change your mind in order to change your life.
Keep is simple, but do it, right now.
Here’s one I like. You can start here on get one of your own!
Philippians 6:6 (I have “Personalized” these verses)
(I will) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (I will let my) requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard (my) heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, (I will) dwell on these things.
LET’S DO THIS !!
PLEASE, Let’s pray for one another that God will richly dwell within us – within our hearts and minds.
Your Friend and Brother,
Mike Young
“we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;
for the things which are seen are temporal,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
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