How is a sound mind achieved?
A sound mind can be achieved in life. Although, remaining in a place with sound mind is a lifelong challenge. The innocence of a child is acknowledged in the Bible as a sound place because innocence has not yet been tainted with the truth of heartache and revelations of character flaws and corrupt behavior that are present in this world. The innocence of children allows complete trust in those of authority. A child surrenders obediently to an elder, who is suppose to be wiser and trustworthy of sound guidance.
The innocence of a child with sound mind, is a beautiful period of time in life. Children, who are in healthy environments, live in a place of peace, which allows them to shut out the outside world: loss, destruction, disturbances, and noise. As we age and gain wisdom, we must search for the place where peace can be restored. We must seek out the truth, requiring trust and faith.
The acknowledgement of peace begins to take form in our lives when we hide the comforting words of Jesus in our heart. Set your mind and your thoughts on praises of gratitude. These practices allow a new relationship to take shape with goodness.
Reflecting on a question from my lesson this week, emphasized how the Bible is made up of true accounts of Jesus' life. One simple question that made me dissect a passage that was written after the death of Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus. Jesus was good friends with all of them and spent time with them at their home on occasion. The question read, "What were Martha's exact words in describing Jesus when He asked her if she believed His statement, 'I am the resurrection and the life?'"
"Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
-John 11:24
In John's letter where these accounts of Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Jesus, were initially recorded, prior to the Bible being printed, the relationship that Martha had with Jesus was witnessed by all three of these individuals. Martha spoke these words of affirmation of who Jesus was, prior to Jesus restoring her brother, Lazarus, back to life after having been dead for four days. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all wrote of this amazing miracle performed by Jesus in their letters to loved ones, so that they too would believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Everyone has these accounts available to them even today, in the Bible.
The practice of studying the actual words and account of what transpired opened my eyes, yet again, to the affirming truth recorded in the Bible. Read John 11: 1- 48 ,and all of John 11, Biblegateway.com, the account of the death of Lazarus, and how Jesus brought Him back to life. Martha is our example and role model for the peace that can be given to those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. In this passage, the Pharisees are revealed as power hungry humans who are fearful of losing their rank and place in society. Who do you desire to become? One who is full of peace or one who is full of pride and of this world?
The shortest sentence in John's letter and account was also included in this passage, "Jesus wept." This very short sentence reveals how Jesus emoted like a human being and was able to experience grief. Grieving for the loss of a loved one and seeing the pain a loved one experiences with the loss of life is a powerful emotion that most of us have experienced or will experience in life. Jesus longs to give us peace with the insight that our loved ones, who believe in Him, will experience eternal life, and will be with Him for eternity. Many Jews who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead believed in Jesus after witnessing this miracle. That is why so many to this day believe in Jesus, because of their account that they witnessed and told to loved ones, who passed down this true miracle through the generations.
"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.' Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ' Loose him, and let him go.'"
-John 11: 40- 44
Comments