Wholehearted: A 7-Day Standard Operating Procedure for Loving GodSample

Let’s talk about what it means to love the Lord with all your mind. Our minds are powerful. In The Enemy Within, Kris Lundgaard refers to the mind as the watchman for the soul. Think about it like the gate guard who posts up at the base entrances. She sees everyone who enters the base and redirects those who don’t have proper identification. The base could potentially be at risk if the watchman, or gate guard, is incapacitated.

Similarly, our minds must be on guard for what we allow into our souls. If the mind is asleep or unaware, our soul is affected. We must be intentional about what we fill our minds with and which thoughts we allow to resonate.

Paul speaks at great lengths about taking our thoughts captive, transforming our minds, and being renewed in the spirit of our minds. James says the person who doubts is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. We must see the importance of having the mind of Christ and submitting our thoughts to the Lord.

Warren W. Wiersbe wrote, “Physically, you are what you eat, but spiritually, you are what you think.” Every action and every word begins with a thought. We must give full authority of our minds to Christ to experience the peace that will guard our hearts and minds. Paul tells us how in Philippians. Rather than being anxious or worried, we are to pray with thanksgiving. In all things, in all circumstances, we must give thanks to our Father in heaven.

As women associated with the military, we think differently. We’re constantly aware that we will probably have to move and be uprooted. Our worldview differs from our civilian counterparts because we have an investment in our country. This different viewpoint gives us a unique appreciation for the freedom we take for granted often.

The same is true for those who are in Christ. Our view of life and circumstances should change when we have the mind of Christ. No longer are we bogged down in the stresses and anxieties of this world because we know this world is not our home. Instead, we thank the Lord for what he is doing in our hearts and minds as we daily, and sometimes moment by moment, submit our thoughts and minds to Christ.

When we practice taking our thoughts captive and submitting them to Christ, he transforms us, molding us into his image and shaping our testimonies. We can do nothing but sing praises for the work he has done and is doing in our lives, regardless of the circumstances around us. Do you renew your mind daily in Christ or allow your flesh to govern your thoughts?