Sometimes God puts our psyche under the spotlight and tests us in our mind and our emotions. It is good to think of what kinds of thoughts we are having and be able to decipher which are helpful and which are not. Our mind can get into negative or too positive ways of thinking, and we need to temper this with a thought remedy.

When we are gloomy we think of our standing before God as His daughter or son and we can remember Bible passages which will encourage us and remind us that God loves us. We can feel very alone but His grace keeps us and sets us apart from all ill. When we are too positive about ourselves and start to think unrealistic things about ourselves, we also remember that we are kept by God’s power and not our own. Keeping a safe mind is important as it keeps us on an even keel and gives us peace and security in our God.

Sometimes it is good to come apart from the business of life and just let the day unfold to us. Our mind can keep us on busy treadmills and we lose rest for our soul. As we come aside we follow the day as God leads us and set aside all distress. There are times we can get physical symptoms of stress even if we don’t feel very stressed. The body can physically overcompensate for the emotions and many physical complaints have emotional roots. We need to work through what is happening and learn to cope with pain. Medications can help but we need to adapt ourselves to a healthy lifestyle and keep ourselves in the love of God.

God looks on us with His fatherly care and provides for all our needs. He sees the end of a thing before we get there and will gently lead us safely through our troubles. All judgment is past for His children and we rest in the sacrifice made for us by Jesus our Saviour. He has been found righteous in His life and therefore God looks on us as righteous too, as we are in Him. We can rest secure that all our pathway in life is kept by Him and we can have confidence in that fact.

There are times our insecurities get the better of us. This can affect our mood and drag us down. We can get physical symptoms and sometimes we need to just stop and think and allow our body and soul to rest. It can be a chance to think about our life and what we are doing for the glory of God. It is always good to think and try to understand God, the Lord, as it gives us a correct perspective on our own psyche. God does not do anything that is not for our good and He has reasons behind all our pains and tears. We trust in Him and get to know ourselves better.

Our best teacher is the Word of God and we read and meditate on it every day. We look into the Scriptures when we need to have a realistic view of ourselves and not over compensate with other distractions. When we suffer it is too easy to look for other remedies which can turn into bad and unhelpful habits. We can become addicted to anything and we must exercise self-control in all areas of our life. It is easy to just do as we feel, but that can lead us into unhelpful ways and give us more problems. We keep our life free from taint as we give our mind to what God teaches us in Scripture. God will never lead us down a destructive pathway and obedience to Him leads us to life. We must know Him increasingly and as we realise more of His love for us and His keeping power, so we love Him more and live God-orientated lives for His glory and not our own. When the days of testing come we will have armour to protect ourselves and a good grasp of the Word of God so that we can fight and overcome. We need not be afraid of these examinations since our Saviour fights for us too and prays for us in heaven.

The reality of the spiritual is so important. To deny it is the path of pain and folly. Too many are subject to mind illness and fall at the first hurdle because their hold on the Scripture is not secure. When we are tested we need the loving arms of God around our heart that we will be guarded against the waves that would overcome us. Instead of failure, when we find ourselves in these deep waters, we can be held by the hand of our Saviour and know real peace. Do not fear the examination for it is designed for growth and education that we might grow in grace and the knowledge of God and ourselves. The examination is transformed into a process of understanding and a way to grow in wisdom and insight. This can only help us and makes us trust in God and our love for Him will grow. As we conform ourselves to the pattern of Christ we become better at fighting the times of testing and become more resilient. Then we are useful for encouraging others and living a holy life to God.

Let us not fear the test, but use our mind to understand and learn, that we will draw closer to God and become more like Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. He also was tested and knows our frailties, so we put our confidence in Him to bear us through. Some people have particularly difficult times, but this only bears rich fruit in the life of the believer and treasure laid up in heaven. There is only the positive aspect for the Christian, for the Lord is in control of our life and we are safe. He will guide us safely through our troubles and make us strong in His love. Do not fear for that is the way of defeat. Let us gird up our faith and learn His mighty ways…

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.”

1 Peter 4:12-13

We must expect trouble for our Lord Jesus suffered for us. He is now the “chief corner stone” and is exalted high above all. Even in His lowest moments before His tormentors, He bore with it patiently. He was beaten and spit upon – derided and falsely accused. Let us draw strength from Him and see beyond the here and now and into an eternity of blessing. Do not lay down under mind pain but bear with it, in all patience and God will deliver you in due season.

“Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9