We often ask others, “What’s on your mind?” But most of us have no idea what’s on our minds! So much stuff competes for our attention that a moment of self-reflection is rare. Yet what we think drives what we say and how we act and feel. 

I’ve known this ever since I began doing stillness work, which I first encountered in my spiritual direction training. This training teaches how to deeply listen to one another and to God, simultaneously. The first step is to listen to one’s own mind. Some call this “meditation,” a word that some Christians shy away from, perhaps due to its association with Buddhism. But we can learn from every source, and Buddhism teaches ways to settle our “monkey mind.” One exercise encourages quiet sitting with a timer. Every time you find your mind has bounded off somewhere else, you simply return your attention back to the present moment. Eventually you can gain greater awareness of what thoughts are streaming through your mind. Then you can begin to disciple your thinking. 

In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul encourages the First Church of Philippi to intentionally think on a list of positive values. The word he uses is logizomai, which the NRSV bible translates as “think.” But the Greek word is closer to “consider” or “meditate.” How might we as Christians meditate in a disciplined way on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, or praise-worthy? A good first step is to grow more aware of our unguarded thoughts, which are often about worry or anxiety. Paul urges these believers not to worry about anything, but to instead consciously shift their attention to the Lord, who “is near.” This simple turning of our attention to the Lord is prayer. 

Paul has earlier urged two church members, Euodia and Syntyche, to think the same way Jesus Christ does. Jesus constantly turned to God, and we can too. Paul promises these believers that God’s peace, which no amount of our “thinking” can produce, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The world will pay attention to people who exhibit a peaceful and calm manner, because that is a real rarity these days!

Margo Walter