The Battle
Men,
As we journey further into our “Men Under Construction” series, this week we turn our focus to the most powerful tool in our arsenal, the mind.
Our mind is the battleground where daily wars are waged between doubt and faith, fear and courage, despair and hope. It’s where the enemy often launches his fiercest attacks. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how fast you can run or how much weight you can lift. If you lack mastery of your mind, you’re going to be losing more battles than you win.
Paul backs this up in Romans 12:2 where he says the renewing of our mind is ultimately where transformation begins.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
How does this renewing of the mind take place? Just like the physical layer of our being, it requires training.
Training the Mind: Muscles of the Soul
Just as our bodies have various muscles that we can train and strengthen, our minds too have ‘muscles’ that can be honed with practice. Consider this:
- Awareness Muscle: Becoming conscious of our thoughts, especially the negative or unproductive ones, allows us to take them captive and align them with scripture. This muscle helps us discern truth from lies in our thought patterns.
- Focus Muscle: In an age of constant distractions, training our minds to concentrate on a single task or thought can be powerful. This muscle aids in productivity, communication, and even deepening our prayer life.
- Emotional Processing Muscle: Instead of suppressing emotions, we can train our minds to process them healthily. This muscle helps us understand our feelings, their origins, and how to navigate them without being overwhelmed.
- Memory Muscle: Regularly revisiting scripture, practicing recall, or even engaging in memory-enhancing games can sharpen our ability to remember and reflect.
- Empathy Muscle: This allows us to connect deeply with others, understanding and sharing their feelings, leading to richer relationships.
Question: What thoughts am I building my life upon? Are they thoughts of faith, hope, and love? Or are they thoughts of doubt, fear, and despair?
Choosing Your Training Regimen – Rate yourself in the following areas out of 10.
- I consider myself disciplined
- I reject negative thoughts and replace them with scriptural truths.
- I allow myself to feel and process my emotions.
- I am able to direct and control my focus
- I seek support when overwhelmed, be it through friends, family, or professionals.
Don’t skip this. Becoming aware of your growth areas is a VITAL part of renewing your mind. Start catching your weaknesses the moment they appear and bring them to Jesus. This practice is the equivalent of doing mental push-ups
WHY THERAPY IS HARDER FOR MEN
Finally, check out this short video. It will transform your view on therapy, explain why most therapists don’t understand male depression, and give you tools to gain as much value as possible from therapy.
Here’s to Building Better Men
Brandon Bell
Blueprint For Men
Communications Director –
