I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

(Psalm 119:11,15-16)

You know the old saying, “You are what you eat.” It turns out it’s totally true. Every nutrient in your food is stored as energy or used to replace dying cells, so that in about 7-10 years you have a brand new you! That cheeseburger didn’t just go to your thighs, it BECAME your thighs!

If this is true physically, it’s even more true about what you consume spiritually. There’s a cute Christian kids’ song that goes:

Oh, be careful, little eyes (ears), what you see (hear),
Oh, be careful, little eyes (ears), what you see (hear).
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little eyes (ears), what you see (hear).

And wow, is that true. From birth, our brain creates millions of neural pathways. Neural pathways are groups of nerve fibers that connect neurons in the brain, allowing signals to be sent between different parts of the brain and nervous system. These pathways are essential for many functions, including learning, forming habits, how we experience emotions and sensations, and interacting with others. The more we use a particular pathway, the more automatic it becomes until you’re arriving at your driveway, and you can’t remember the drive home.

This is terrific for everyday actions and things we need to constantly remember, but it becomes difficult when the pathway is a bad habit, a bad memory, or a negative association. Retraining our brain is possible, but it’s definitely a challenge. One helpful way is by using daily affirmations, or motivational words or phrases to stop us going down the same old paths – “Just Do It,” “One Day at a Time,” “My past doesn’t control my future,” etc.

It’s the same with our souls. If we fill our souls with negative news, constant criticism, books, shows and advertisements promoting greed, selfishness, laziness, lust and worse, we are going to have a sick spiritual condition. We’re the temple of the Holy Spirit, so imagine how starved for goodness He would feel. Instead we must do like the Psalmist and “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2) That’s a command from us to our soul telling it to bless or praise the Lord, even if we aren’t really feeling like it.

“Mindset” is a hot topic these days. A mindset is a collection of a person's attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about themselves, culture, values, philosophy, and more. Mindsets can determine a person's behavior, outlook, and mental attitude. A good, positive mindset is invaluable as an athlete, but it’s every bit as useful for us as we seek to turn our hearts and minds to Jesus every day, and away from worldly distractions screaming for our attention. Luckily, our User’s Manual, the Bible, has some helpful mindset advice:

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” (Hebrews 3:1)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)  

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:23-24)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) 

How to keep your focus on things above? Daily effort – but the effort doesn’t have to be difficult or unpleasant. Read a couple chapters in the Bible daily. Switch your radio to a Christian music or teaching station. Trade out some of your paperbacks for Christian teaching or fiction. Click the TV channel over to a Christian network occasionally. Check out Christian music, teaching, comedy or entertainment on-line. Join a small group for study and accountability. Get into a Bible study. Come to church! Take on a job at church (there’s plenty). Pray from our weekly prayer list. Find a mission that speaks to your heart and devote some time to it weekly. Keep reading these Devotionals.😉 The only limit to the ideas is your imagination!

Happy meditating, thinking and delighting,

Jen