Strength Training For the Mind

The mind is a powerful tool that can work for us or against us.  I think for most of my life it has worked mostly against me.   My thoughts have been more harmful to me than helpful.  More fear based, than love based.  Can you relate with me? 

I made a decision I am not going to live my life that way anymore.  God doesn’t want us to live a life of fear.  God is love and only loving thoughts come from Him.  Every other thought that enters our mind that is not love based is a lie and we have to root out that evil.  How do we go about doing that?  Through continual prayer, surrender and meditation.    It takes time, work and energy to continually fill your mind with loving thoughts towards yourself and others. 

I rarely if ever miss a day of  physical training, but yet I have been pretty haphazard in doing my strength training for my mind.   My history has been to say a prayer in the morning after some quiet time of reading the Bible and some devotions, which is great, don’t get me wrong, but it takes so much more than that. 

I have meditated off and on over the past 10 years, but have never stuck to a consistent routine.  I know when I do meditate regularly it makes a significant difference in my thought life and my connection to God.   I would never dream of not going to the gym, so why do I stop meditating when I know how much of a difference it makes in my life? 

I would say at this point in my life my mental and spiritual training is significantly more important than my physical training, although all three are critical for holistic health. 

If you aren’t doing any form of meditation in your life, you are truly missing out.  Meditation changes the level of our thinking and that is why it changes our lives.  Meditation puts us in touch with the mind of Christ.  When we meditate each morning we are placing our minds and emotions into the hands of God.  It gives us a place of tranquility when we see that the ways of the world are wheels off. 

From Marianne Williamson’s book The Gift of Change she says, “If we meditate sometimes but now always, then it will seem to us that God helps us sometimes but not always.  If we pray and meditate on some days but not all days, then we will feel the peace of God on some days but not all days.  If we go to God only when we’re in trouble, then of course His help seems inconsistent.  Yet the inconsistency lies in us.  The more time we spend with God, the more we develop our spiritual musculature and the stronger we become in dealing with life’s challenges.  I remember the song lyric, “Darlin’, if you want me to be closer to you, get closer to me.”  The same applies to our relationship with God. 

The form of practice doesn’t matter.  I prefer to use Christian meditation.  I interviewed Rhonda Jones, a Christian meditation coach on one of my podcasts, I recommend listening to the podcast or going to her site to get some more ideas on what Christian mediation looks like or to try a guided meditation. 

Meditation will rest the mind the same way that sleep rests the body.  I want to encourage you to start practicing strength training for your mind.   Five to ten minutes every morning turning over your thought life to God can change your internal state and ultimately change you, which can lead to changing the world. 

Meditate, pray continually and surrender your thought life to God.  Your life will be transformed from the inside out. 

I would be honored to be part of your tribe to help you with your strength training for your mind, body and spirit.  Please contact me at troy@troyismir.com for a complimentary consultation. 

Troy Ismir, MS

Spiritual Warrior Coach

I help men get fit from the inside out so they can have more vitality, adventure and purpose in their life.