“Lily” is my prayer partner. She has also gone through trauma therapy, and we often encourage each other on our paths to wholeness. I asked her to share helpful insights she has gained from her counseling experience. She told me about the Wise Mind concept.
Our brain is composed of an emotional part and a rational part. If we allow the emotions to dominate the brain, we have difficulty thinking clearly and our behavior may be aggressive or impulsive.
The rational mind is logical, reasonable, and unemotional.
The goal is to bring the two together into what some call the “wise mind.”
“Wise mind is what we intuitively know to be the truth under the blanket of emotions. When you’re emotionally charged in a situation, it’s difficult to see what is real and true. You may be blinded by subjectivity. That’s why it’s crucial to look at the facts. Observe what’s going on rather than how you feel about it. When you observe the facts, you can feel confident because there is tangible evidence. Emotions are abstract and fleeting, whereas the facts of a situation remain fixed.”(1)
The wise mind concept is missing a spiritual component. As Christians, we have the mind of Christ. “Having the mind of Christ means sharing the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ, and it is something that all believers possess. It means we share Jesus’ perspective of humility and obedience, compassion, and prayerful dependence on God.”(2)
Practically speaking, how do we do this? How do we activate the wise mind of Christ in the midst of emotional storms?
Step 1: Slow down your breathing.
Step 2: Invite the Lord into the situation and ask for His perspective.
Step 3: Pray the dropping Anchor prayer. See post called “How to Pray.”
How to Pray – Click on link to read blog
Step 4: Look for the facts.
Step 5: Share your situation with a trusted friend and ask them for honest feedback.
Step 6: Be still. Wait upon the Lord to help make things clear to you.
Remember that as a Christian you have been given the mind of Christ!
1 Corinthians 2:16
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Prayer
Abba Father,
We open the door of our hearts to you during our times of distress – times when we are triggered and our emotions rage like a hurricane. In the midst of our storms, we ask that you would remind us of your presence. Help us to see our situation through your eyes. Give us courage to ask for help when we feel overwhelmed and the ability to stay calm. You are at work in our lives. Our lives may get messy, but You will not abandon us.
P.S. Thank you, “Lily,” for helping me with this blog. “Lily’s” name has been changed to protect her identity.
Footnotes
(2)https://www.gotquestions.org/mind-of-Christ.html
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