Definitions & Insights – A Sound Mind

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV, emphasis mine).

Sound Mind:

“sound” – not weak, diseased, or impaired
– based on truth or valid reasoning
– free from defect, damage, or decay
– morally strong¹

“sound” – able to deflect from your mind and heart, what is not good for you
– resisting damage to our hearts, minds, values, habits of life, etc.
– filtering skills and deflection skills at work that safeguard the perspectives and rhythms of love and good
– not easily demoralized
– no longer reacting to certain things with confusion or sorrow
– refusing the potential burden, weight, and pain of detrimental words or events

Refuse the mess.
Refuse to react to a careless word or action with what is harmful to you or others.

• Build muscle into your thinking patterns.
• Steel your calmness of mind and spirit.
• Reinforce your peace and gentleness.
• Build strength into loving and doing good with consistency and perseverance.
• Deflect what would damage them.
• Refuse what weakens.

Walk in the encouragement and direction of God.
Guard your soul to keep it in soundness, in the good sense of Godly reason and truth, and in the warmth of God’s love and leadership.

1. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th ed.(Cleveland, Ohio: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008), 1369.