A Quiet Mind

As I poured a cup of my delicious, peach, green tea this morning, I started thinking of all the healthful benefits and antioxidants that are found in green teas. They are not only soothing but full of healthful qualities.

My next thought was to toast an English muffin to go along with my tea! With that thought, my Grandma mind began a trip back through the years to when my children were little... When my children had upset stomachs or other ailments, the "tea and toast treatment" brought better results than juice and toast and I remembered that they would get better quicker if I put a little honey on the toast.

Then my thoughts went back to me, and why I wanted to sit down for a cup of hot tea... Worry on my mind, caused me to fix that cup of tea. I had a concern about a particular thing that was coming that day. I realized later that I had turned my good emotion of "concern", into the sin of worry. How often we feel we have to worry! Worry is not a necessity. I had to admit my concern had turned into worry. I was leaving God out of the picture and Satan was getting his victory in my life.

Worry is a sin, because it shows our lack of faith in God. (Matthew 6:25-34) God forbids worry (Philippians 4:6-7). Worry also helps destroy the body, causing many health problems. It hurts us mentally, emotionally and spiritually too. Here I was, wasting my time and energy relying on my feelings and not remembering to just think Biblically! My worrying would soon be affecting others too. How selfishly we can act ! My heart told me that my only hope was to replace my worry with right thinking....Biblical thinking....and to concentrate my energy in a productive manner, on the day before me.

We must live "today" trusting God!

I can plan for tomorrow and then submit my plans to God--leaving the outcome entirely to Him! He will....and promises, to direct our paths. James 4:13-17 I cannot tell God what He has to do. How God must laugh at us when we tell Him our plans! God, help me to live, not my will, but YOURS today.

Quite often I go to one of my favorite passages of scripture found in Philippians 4:8-9, where Paul describes Biblical thinking and encourages us to follow right thinking and right actions. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

The end result of right thinking and right actions is PEACE ---- knowing that the Lord knows everything and I can trust Him. In this troubled world of today, we must all claim the promises of HIS WORD.

As I poured more hot water into my tea that was growing cold in my contemplation, I asked the Lord for forgiveness and for His direction. Yes, the "tea and toast" treatment still helps in the healing process! I even added a little bit of Alyssa's apple jelly and honey! Yum! My imaginary worries were calmed! When I stay still long enough and allow the Holy Spirit to work, God's Word will act as medicine and will always dispel my fears.

Let's determine to spend more time in God's Word....staying close to Him and practicing Biblical thinking. We have a Great God and when we claim His promises, He will take us through every trial.

A Quiet Mind

I've many a cross to take up now,
and many left behind:
But present troubles move me not,
Nor shake my quiet mind.

And what may be tomorrow's cross
I will not seek to find;
My Father says, "Leave that to me,
and keep a quiet mind."

From Grandma's Rocking Chair,
Grandma Silcox (Audrey)