a diet of the mind
Well, it’s that time of year again. The time when I am rudely reminded of my worst character flaws. Every year about this time my life begins to get extremely busy. Work, school, homework, birthdays, holidays… all while trying to keep my body healthy, my marriage strong and my relationship with God priority. When I get busy like this, I tend to get a little grumpy (the people close to me are all nodding their heads and saying, “mmm hmmm – that’s right, she does”).
I have recently recognized something other than grumpiness…. something dangerous. It’s the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy with a side of resentment… (ouch!) Now I’m not much of a the devil made me do it type of person. But, anytime my thoughts are inundated like this I become keenly aware that I have an enemy who would do anything to see me throw in the towel and give up on destiny. This is one of those times – - and man is he persistent.
A while back I watched the movie, “A Beautiful Mind.” Russell Crowe (Nash), is a brilliant mathmetician who suffers from dillusional paranoid schizophrenia. He sees and talks to people who are not there. Towards the end of the movie he is asked by one of his colleagues if he still sees people that aren’t there. He replies, “I’ve gotten used to ignoring them and I think, as a result, they’ve kind of given up on me. I think that’s what it’s like with all our dreams and our nightmares…..we’ve got to keep feeding them for them to stay alive. I still see things that are not here. I just choose not to acknowledge them. Like a diet of the mind, I just choose not to indulge certain appetites…”
Man – what a vivid picture of taking every thought captive. I remember as I watched this scene unfold that it was such a wake up call to me about how my enemy deals with me. Following me everywhere, talking in my ear. I just willfully engage in the mental torture I – - not even considering that I may have a choice in the matter. Yikes.
What ever we feed lives… whatever we starve dies. The truth about our lives is we are fearfully and wonderfully made, joint heirs with Christ – second only to our Creator. Our purpose and usefulness is indispensable. Satan is well acquainted with our purpose and has a master strategy to keep us from it. He knows God, hears God – even communicates with God. He understands how God works, what He wants and what we are to Him. He is arrogant and prideful, mad at his Creator and will be relentless to his last breath to establish his authority over what is God’s. He never stops inventing new ways to get us to entertain and embrace his deceptions.
So, we (I) have a choice. Feed the lie or feed the truth. I choose to fix my mind on what is true, noble, just, pure and lovely; what things are of good report, those things of virtue and that are praiseworthy. I choose to excercise a diet of the mind that will bring mental peace, spiritual health and maturity.
I fully expect I’ll have to choose that again tomorrow – - if not sooner. 
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 (MSG)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJ)
