A Mind Prepared for Action

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV) 

How old are you in your head?

I heard an interesting interview with residents in a nursing home. The interviewer asked each person: “How old are you in your head?” And the answers were fascinating. The mind-set ages were all over the place. Some had a mental age pretty close to actual, others did not. The one that really caught my attention was the lady, somewhere in her mid to late 80s, said, “I still see myself in my mind as 20!” After she said that, I took a second look at her and noticed she looked healthy and she did not dress, walk or act like an old person; her hair and makeup was perfect, she spoke clearly, and she was alert, inquisitive, and enthusiastic. As the others revealed their mind-set ages, I noticed their appearance and behavior matched what they said. Why is this so? Simple, the Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). Therefore, if you are young or old in your head, that’s how you will behave.

I asked myself that same question

After giving it some thought, I realized the age in my head for most of my adult life was 35. And I did act that age, until something awful happened that changed it; I got long-term COVID! It lasted over a year and a half and caused serious lung issues that felt like walking pneumonia; I gained a lot of weight; I lost energy; I lost my sense of taste and smell; but worse of all, I got horrible brain fog and could no longer hold a thought! I now felt old! In a short time, I transitioned from age 35 in my head to my actual physical age, 77. I began to think, act, and feel old!

Something had to change!

I finally became very tired of feeling old with all the negative symptoms. So, I did a self-evaluation, developed a plan for recovery, and began to do everything I could do, with God’s help, to change things. I started a strict diet and lost 25 pounds; I began to exercise daily; and I focused on accomplishing some exciting new projects. And it worked! It didn't take long for wonderful things to happen. I felt better, regained my sense of taste and smell, the brain fog vanished, and my old energy came flooding back. And I realized something else wonderful had happened—in my head, I'm back to age 35!

Therefore

Change your mind, change your life!

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2)

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6)