Nourish your mind

"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself."

Proverbs 11:17

It has been said lately that, "It cost nothing to be kind." This is only partially true. While the price of kindness may be cheap, monetary wise, it can be extremely costly emotionally. Especially when kindness is lacking. And this statement, seems to be in reference to how you treat others. A few different questions that could be considered when working with the topic of "kindness."

1. What would you say to someone going through a similar situation as yourself'?

2. How would you treat someone, going through a similar situation as yourself?

3. Are you treating others with more kindness than yourself? Why?

Most of the time the responses have been, "I would be understanding of what that person goes through." Yet, how often are you not understanding of what you go through? The expectations that you have for yourself, may at times make it difficult to be accepting, kind, and welcoming of your own pains and misfortunes. However, you are generally accepting, kind, and welcoming of others. Why? Because it cost nothing to be kind... to others. And it cost more to be kind to ourselves.

In the Bible you read about how your body is a temple. You learn about God calling you to love each other as Christ loves the church. Your bodies, essentially are the church. Within this church though, is the soul. The mind. And from it, everything about your being flows. From a cognitive behavior therapy perspective: what you thinking is how you will behave, and how you behave is how you will feel. So if you want to feel good, you must first think good. If you are wondering why you feel bad, the question could be "are you thinking bad?"

Since you have woken up, imagine all the thoughts that you have had. Imagine all the statements you have said out loud or to yourself. Your mind has heard every single one of them. You speak to yourself more than you will ever speak to another person, and more than another person will ever speak to you. Figuratively and physically. What you tell yourself, what you say around yourself, and what you think about, is important. It matters. Because YOU hear it. You hear it and become it. You hear it and focus on it. You hear it and it becomes your fuel. Nourishing your mind begins with what you are feeding it. Are you feeding it good stuff? Or are you feeding it bad stuff?

Now, you may wonder: can someone really feed their minds the good stuff every day, all day long? Maybe. Maybe not. Then the question becomes: what are you feeding it more of?

Scripture:

Proverbs 11:17

A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Reflection:

What negative thoughts keep you from being kind to yourself?

Lay out your struggles, and respond to them as if they were someone that you cared for.

What positive phrases can you share with yourself this week to keep negativity away?

In what ways does your kindness towards yourself impact or hurt your relationship with Him? What about your kindness towards others?

Prayer:

Lord, I am reminded today that kindness is beautiful. It is something that I can share with others. But more importantly it is something that I must share with myself. So often I am ready to remind others of their value, and then when I forget to remind myself. Lord give me the strength to see myself the way that you see me. Give me eyes that see the best in others. And eyes that see the best in myself. Give me ears that are patient with others. And ears that are patient with myself. Give me a tongue that is kind to others. And a tongue that is kind to myself. Lord through you, and your son, I can continue to become a model of hope for those who struggle with mental health daily. From your words to their hearts, may they find the hope that you have for them. In your son's name. Amen.