The winter of 1882 unfolded in the small southern town of Tuscumbia, Alabama. A happy, normal two-year-old girl fell desperately ill with a strange fever. The fever came and went, came and went, and came again. The family doctor feared the child would die of the strain, but the child was strong and one day the fever finally left for good. The following day the mother waved a hand past her daughter's face, but the child did not blink. Subsequent efforts wrought no results and a new day dawned upon the family with a blind daughter.
As the child gained strength enough to resume play, the great dinner bell released its peal to all around, but Helen did not respond. Other noises produced similar results and the Keller family came to the stark realization that life would never be the same again. Most of us may never face the grim circumstances that Helen Keller's family did, but each of us will certainly endure hardships tailored specifically by our God.
The human mind is an amazing and intricate creation. Though many have sought to understand it, its operational ability remains incomprehensible to mankind. It is no small wonder that a portion of the keenest insight into the health of the mind is revealed in God's Word. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Fear is the ominous adversary to a sound mind. It towers over the soul and taunts the saint with its menacing derision. Fear can take a sunny meadow and turn it into a lonely wilderness. It can render a grand wedding celebration as dark as a cave, and turn a banquet fit for a king into a nauseating affair. It is the most powerful and devastating tool in the devil's employment. Despite many bold claims, none are exempt from its wielding. “A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.” (Job 15:21, 22) It is fear that stands to attack and quench all the prosperity of the soul. If we are to resist it in these days, we he must rise with all diligence in defiant warfare.
We do not need to look very far to behold the disarmament and weakening of man's mind. Medication for the mind ranks among the leading prescriptions consumed in America today. This is no pointed accusation at any individuals who may find themselves in need of medical assistance to control their mind. But it takes no scholar to look at obesity and consider the diet, to see rebellious teens and connect it to the infrastructure of the home, or to see men's hearts (minds) failing them and believe that fear is at the root. While some may totally master their diet, few can claim to be accomplished parents. Fewer yet are those who are not, at times, accosted by fear. Though pride and sense may keep the outward man in check, and remaining perfectly calm, the inward man, at least subconsciously, must deal with the strain. Americans love to claim the motto, "No fear!" but our medication consumption tells a different story. Paul claimed no exemption, for he was “troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” (2 Corinthians 7:5)
What do we fear? Loss, pain, and humility. No one likes to lose something that we have fought to obtain. No one enjoys pain. No one loves to be humiliated. Still, we do not need to read far in the Scriptures to realize that these are often the avenues that God uses to further urge His servants down the path into His likeness. There is no insurance on earth that can secure the vibrancy of youth, the love of a family, or the respect of friends. The things that supply us with earth's greatest vanguard are all vulnerable to the risks of loss. Therefore, we fear. Though we lie in bed until the dawn of the morning, we can in no wise increase our stature nor alleviate the loss that God has laid upon our lives. This anxiety only furthers our grief and adds fuel to our fears.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6 7) Herein is the keeping of our hearts and minds: prayer, peace, and thanksgiving.
Like a skillful artisan we must carefully weave these two scriptures together on the loom of life for there seems to be a direct correlation between the fruitful - power, love and sound mind, to the “rootful”- prayer, peace, and thankfulness. There will be no conquering of our fears without these things, and every society that is anemic to these ingredients will certainly be handicapped.
Prayer Begets Power
In our weakened condition we cannot apprehend prayer as we ought. It is then we must rely on those who can or perhaps the Spirit, which maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Communing with the Omnipotent Head of the universe is a tremendously bold task. Many will administer prayer as merely a formal task, seeking to be perfectly reverent in it. This is not communing as with a friend, nor is it bold. It is more apt to fall under the description of fear. The remedial therapy for fear is in pouring out all our anxiety, bitterness, and complaint onto our God. The saints of yesteryear had been known to vehemently pour out their accusations and the bitterness of their soul unto God.
“Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.” (Job 23:1-6)
- David —“I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.” (Psalm 142:2)
- Hannah —“For out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.” (1 Samuel 1:16)
- Jeremiah —“He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.”
(Lamentations 3:15) - Naomi —“Call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” (Ruth 1:20)
- Hezekiah —“He will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.” (Isaiah 38:12)
- Jesus — “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
All these spewed forth bold accusations and complaints against God in fervent prayer and none of them offended Him. On the contrary, God had not given them the spirit of fear but of power, and they serve as our examples. It was faithless Ahab who was told to ask of God a sign in the heavens or earth. In his pious reply he refused to "tempt" God. This lack of boldness and abundance of fear is more tempting to God than the abundance of bitterness in our complaint for “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Peace Begets Love
We are all at rest with the things we love. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165) A sparkling young child who is at peace with his father worships the man and strives to imitate him. Through the lad's tender eyes, his father's character is unflawed. His skill is unmatched. Even the brand of vehicle he drives is the best, and he emulates his every action. Even though every father knows the limitations of his son's expectations, we all bask in the seasonal loyalty. It is knowledge and fear that undermines this loyal love. An abusive father will destroy such childhood esteem and fear will be its replacement. It was through base fear that the evil servant buried his talent and did not trade with it. In his eyes his master was austere and to be feared. But God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love.
“We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:19, 20) The soul who is affected by this love cannot but imitate it. He is at great peace with his Father’s love and the eyes through which he views his Father's character can only enlist replication. However dire the circumstances we may find ourselves in, this spirit of love and peace will carry us through whatever opposition we may meet with on life's pathway. Jacob made nothing of the hard service he was to endure for Rachel; the spirit of love to God will set us above the fear of man, and all the hurt that a man can do us.
Thankfulness Begets a Sound Mind
We do not need to study happy souls long to find buried within the bedrock of each one, a foundation of gratitude. The spirit of a sound mind, or quietness of mind, is a peaceable enjoyment of life. We are oftentimes discouraged in our way when the features of our environment do not measure not up to our own fancy and imagination. A mere sober, solid, thinking mind would obviate and defuse such fruitless notions, yet we are all tempted to entertain formidable ingratitude. It takes no brainpower to expose things we disdain, for Satan is certain to magnify and outline every unsatisfactory detail we encounter. We each may think ourselves into a deep cave, but we must thank ourselves out.
Fear of losing our health, wealth, reputation, and happiness is the biggest hindrance to securing it. To focus on our pain is to invite more. To be constantly analyzing our life to see if we are being fulfilled is a sure avenue to ingratitude. The world is constantly asking, "Are we having fun yet?" The answer is, "No". To these souls, life will never be adequate, and they must wander forth seeking the bigger fulfillment that the last one did not secure. It is the fear that we are not receiving our fair allotment in life that breeds discontentment. It is discontentment that produces more fear, and the downward spiral progresses. Such was the consternation of the soul who asked Christ to speak to his brother to divide the inheritance with him. This may be logical thinking, but it is not conducive to a sound and peaceable mind. This offended soul has no root in himself and will forever be wronged in some fashion and spend his days in search of a savior to come and fix the other party. “... neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:12, 13)
There is no earthly level of attainment or perfect environment that will promote a sound mind. It can only be secured through prayer, peace, and thankfulness. This may take some reprogramming of our minds to reach into the subconscious recesses, but we must soberly gird up the loins of our minds and exercise them if we ever hope to obtain “the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:13)
“And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.— Philippians 4:7, 8
