What is a “Sound Mind”?
We are told in scripture that we can have that. Have I ever had a sound
mind? Even as a child I had a skewed view of reality. I believed I was
different and weird. I felt separate and dismissed. As a parent, I was without the inborn skill
of nurturing, floundering to be like other confident parents. As a spouse, I
was often explosive and chaotic when the heat was on and I needed to make a
decision or respond to difficulty. As an active drunk, I was all of these and
worse.
Now that I’ve been in recovery for a while, I know that
facing my fears and failures head-on is what begins to bring sound mind. Asking
God for His perspective and confidence brings courage to move forward. In sobriety, I have finally been able to look
fear in the eye and say, My God is Greater. I’m not afraid to be afraid so
get out of here fear! So what if I fail? I’ll start over again. I’ll get help.
I’ll apologize. I’ll learn what is needed. It will be okay if I’m wrong. These
statements, I’m told, are characteristic of a sound mind. In fact, He uses my fear
of failure to build further reliance on Him, which increases my inner strength. When I admit inner anxiety, God brings grace
-the desire and power to look past those negative things – and see God’s
overcoming viewpoint.
A sound mind is very possible and even probable when I submit
to my Heavenly Father who cares deeply.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7