Our minds are powerful and what we think about affects us more than most of us understand. Studies reveal that, “75-98% of mental, physical and behavioural illnesses come from toxic thinking” (Dr Carolyn Leaf).

Therefore it makes sense that a loving God who is tye author of peace has a way for us to live in peace. He cares infinitely about every detail of our lives and as the giver of peace wants us to keep our minds fixed on Him so that our whole being would be kept in perfect and constant peace. Peace being; “a freedom from disturbance, and having quiet, tranquillity, and rest.”

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

When we fix our minds on God we choose to fix our thoughts on His goodness, on what He says, on who He is and on His promises. He wants us to have hope for the day and He knows that fixing our thoughts on Him, which is fixing our thoughts on faith, hope and love will cause health and wholeness in us.

For when we activate hope this activity of the mind changes the structure of our brain to a positive and normal direction. That means there is hope for us to change even where we haven’t been peaceful and have struggled with our thoughts and emotions. When we fix our minds on Jesus and His love and goodness our actual brains change. “It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer (which is simply talking and listening to God), over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent it can be measured on a brain scan.”

The Bible says it this way, “Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things..and the God of peace will be with you.”(Philippians 4: 8-9)

Today check what you have been fixing your mind on. Is it thoughts of hope or is it thoughts of fear, failure and disaster? If you have been struggling, I encourage you to take time throughout the day with Jesus, read His words in the bible, download them onto your phone, put a favourite verse on your screen saver, pin-board or wherever you will see it as a reminder of what God says about your life and to spend time in His presence. Because He promises that, “He will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are fixed on Him.”

Prayer: Lord thank you that I can be in perfect peace when I fix my mind on you. Help me to take the time to learn and think more deeply about the promises in your word, than I do about everything else going on around me. I receive and hold onto your peace today. In Jesus Name Amen.

“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”(John 14:27)