Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
To prosper in our souls includes having good mental health because our soul comprises of our emotions and our thought life. Because God’s gift of all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places given to believers already includes spiritual health, as we practise applying the Word of God to our lives, we will grow and prosper spiritually.
Studies have found high symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during a lockdown. Stress and anxiety contribute to poor sleep and create a vicious cycle; the more we lie awake at night rehearsing worries that we have no control over, the worse our mental health becomes.
Therefore, if we want our souls to prosper, two things are necessary to keep the peace that’s already been given to us. First, our minds must be stead on God, which means to focus, be committed, and stay with God. Second, regardless of what we are facing, we must trust and have faith in Jesus and His Word, which are one. Because Jesus was the Word at the time of creation, He will honour His Word, and because there is power in His Word, faith will arise and overwhelming peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we listen to and meditate on His Word. While we don’t deny facts in the negative reports we hear, we can choose to fill our minds and hearts with the Word to keep our peace.
Mountain climbers or long distant trekkers know that stamina and endurance aside, one important aspect for their success is the mental conditioning to prepare themselves for the long distance, physical fatigue, and the will to finish their mission. Therefore, instead of repeatedly asking “are we there yet?” like children on a long journey, we also need to tell ourselves that while it will take some time for the termination to be announced, we will surely get there. We need to have this mental conditioning of a long-haul ordeal in order not to feel let down, discouraged, or disheartened. It is a practice of tapping into His grace and taking a day at a time.
Sermon Series: Work on Your Well Being
掌控你的思想
腓立比书 4:6-8 应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。 神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。弟兄们，我还有未尽的话，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念。
我们灵魂的兴盛包括心理上的健康，因为我们的灵魂由我们的情感和我们的思想生活所组成。因为神已经将天上各样属灵的恩赐给了信徒们，包括心理上的健康。当我们操练将神的话语应用在我们的生命中时，我们就会在灵里成长和兴盛。
研究发现在封锁期间出现了高症状的压力、焦虑、抑郁和创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)。压力和焦虑导致睡眠不良，形成一个恶性循环。我们越是辗转难眠，对无法控制的事反复担忧，我们的心理健康就会变得越糟糕。
因此，如果我们要我们的灵魂兴盛，那么需要做两件事来持守已赐给我们的平安。第一，我们的思想要定睛于神，这意味着我们要专注、委身、与神同在。第二，无论我们的境遇如何，我们都要相信和信靠耶稣和祂的话语，祂们是一体的。因为耶稣在创世之时就是那道，祂会尊荣祂的话语。因祂的话语大有能力，当我们聆听和默想祂的话语时，信心就产生了，并出人意外的平安就会在基督耶稣里保守我们的心怀意念。虽然我们不否认所听到的负面事实，但我们可以选择用神的话语充满我们的心怀意念以持守我们的平安。
登山者或长途徒步者会知道除了体力和耐力，他们成功的重要因素是心理调节和完成目标的意志力，预备自己走长远的路及克服身体疲劳。因此，与其像小孩子在长途旅行时重复的问“我们到了吗?”，我们需要告诉自己虽然距离宣告到达终点还需要一段时间, 但我们最终一定会到。为了不感到失望、气馁或灰心丧气，我们需要对长期的考验有这样的心理调节。这是一种进入神的恩典面对每一天的操练。
讲章系列：为你的幸福而努力