Thinking fast, thinking slowly . . .

A newsletter from a novelist has a section on time/life management. It is not specific to writers and that section is the biggest reason I subscribe. This week, he outlines helpful tips from a book on procrastination. Since I struggle with that, he caught my attention.

One tip was related to the way we think. Fast thinking is used when in danger. We react spontaneously and without much thought. Then we have slow thinking, the pondering needed when solving a problem or making an important decision. When it comes to procrastination, that happens with fast thinking: “I don’t feel like doing this” so it is set aside. The tip is to take ten minutes and think about the task. Slow down my mind and give some time to consider this task. Do I really need this in my life? What is holding me back? Mere feelings? Or uncertainty about how to do the task? If so, can I do some research and find out?

He says to make that first step ‘ridiculously’ easy because that often creates momentum. Even doing research about the next step can break the pattern of putting things off.

This method works for me. I have a large project that seems to take forever, but procrastinating will not get it finished. Thinking about the importance of completion helps me to ‘do the next thing’ and when I do the next thing, I find myself going on to the next and the next, making good progress.

Today’s devotional verse has me thinking about procrastination and my spiritual life. David directed these words to his son but the principle applies to me too:

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

He had much more advice, but these beginning words are talking about slow thinking. As a child of God, I know that my sinfulness often shows up when my mind jumps into fast mode and I don’t give thought to what I am doing; it just happens. However, if I stop and give it more thorough and longer attention, I can see that giving in to that temptation is not a good idea.

This can work the other way too. God says:

“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)

Renewal of the mind means having my fast and sinful thinking changed. It requires slowing down, meditating on the Word of God and letting it permeate my thoughts. As my mind changes and conforms to the mind of God, then my spontaneous thoughts will be godly and come quickly. In many cases, the result will pop out in word or action so easily that I will even say to myself, “Where did that come from?”

Of course this is the work of the Holy Spirit. My ordinary way of quick-thinking works for some things, but usually gets me into trouble. God is teaching me that when He wants a quick response, it can only come from a renewed mind that has learned to listen and respond to the mind of God, not my own. This means that I read the Word of God regularly, think about what I’ve read and meditate on it, and put it into practice. Slow thinking.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, faith in You involves knowing You personally and serving You with a whole heart and a willing mind. You know how I think and the ways my mind needs renewal. Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit and for the reality that You can change the way I think. Fast or slow, I want all my thoughts to come from You and conform to Your will. Increase my ability to slow down and meditate on You and what You are saying to me.

Brooding on the truth

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

Chambers starts off today’s devotional reading based on this verse with these words: “If you want to know the energy of God (i.e., the resurrection life of Jesus) in your mortal flesh, you must brood on the tragedy of God.”

“Brood” is an interesting word. In context, here it means to think or ponder something, but the main dictionary definition is how a hen or other bird sits on their eggs, keeping them warm until they hatch and new life comes forth.

This image describes how God wants me to ponder what Jesus did on the Cross. He died for me and in Him the world was made dead to me and I died to the world. Do I live that way? Do I boast about that reality? If not, it is because I do not brood about it.

Another image comes to mind. A person just won a great deal of money in a lottery. The first reaction is utter astonishment, yet it the thing seems like a dream; it didn’t really happen. Unless the winner thinks about it and adjusts his mindset to it, he does not feel like a millionaire, talk like a millionaire, or act like a winner.

The world was crucified to me. This is a reality. By the death of Christ, the world has been made dead to me, separated from me. In this context, ‘world’ means the system of sinful living, every person for himself, driven by what I want and by the pride of life. People in the world would never think to boast about the Cross where that world died, but I am to think that way, brood on it, ponder it until I realize this is reality.

I was crucified to the world. That is, God changed my life and my ‘I wants’ so that I’m no longer drawn into worldly things . . .

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

Is this true? God says it is. Do I ponder it, brood about it enough that I begin to act like a person who is dead to the world, separated from fleshy desires, from wanting what I can see, and from being proud about a zillion things? Or do I let the lies of life tell me that I belong here and this world is my home?

God wants me to brood. He wants me to stay with this until the warmth of its truth brings forth His life in me. If I walk away, the eggs or seeds of reality will begin to fade. They will not hatch. I will not perish because God has mercifully saved me, but I could easily miss out on experiencing the great power of God by choosing to run around the coop instead of brooding on the truth.

It is a big Jesus, not a small world

“ . . . You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)

Yesterday God reminded me that I can have peace in my heart even when irritations buzz around like flies. Today, He speaks about those irritations are sometimes inside my head in the form of thoughts that will not go away. They are like (dare I say it?) the words of “It’s a Small World” or worse — the nagging voice of criticism, but inner irritations can also be simple, like trying to remember someone’s name.

Jesus said it was not the outside stuff that defiles us, but that which is on the inside. He was referring to sinners and evil desires, but Christians have inner battles too. Even though Christ lives in us, Satan knows that if he can get us thinking wrong, then we will soon behave in sinful ways. This is why Romans 12:2 says to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Another favorite passage concerning the mind is Isaiah 26:3-4. It says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

The psalmist also declared . . .

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:97–104)

Meditating on the Lord and on His principles is not easy. We live in a busy world. Our minds are bombarded by media of all kinds, never mind the inner workings of memories and active imaginations. Many Christians say that what they read in their morning devotions vanishes from their minds by lunchtime.

From the above verses and from experience, I know the benefits of keeping my mind on the Lord. When He speaks and offers guidance, I am far more apt to hear Him when I am tuned in and not distracted by my inner voices and noises.

It is not easy, but possible to meditate on Christ. However, the Bible says that this is uniquely a Christian experience. Those who know Jesus can set their minds on Him because He lives in us and we have His mind, but also because we know what it means to yield to Him in trusting submission . . .

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. (Romans 8:5–9)

Hebrews 12:1-3 tells me to lay aside the things that weigh me down, sin and all else, and keep my eyes on Jesus. When I consider Him, “the founder and perfecter of my faith” then He sets me free from those mental battles that can make me “weary or fainthearted” even more so than those irritations of life over which I have no control.

So, what is on my mind?

Sometime during the next couple of years, I will be studying the Hebrew and Greek languages. I’m already filled with apprehension. I have trouble remembering just the right word in English, or many answers to simple crossword puzzles, never mind trying to wrap my brain around other languages.

This morning’s devotional is about meditation and it challenged me to look up some Hebrew word meanings for meditation. The verse is a desire of my heart…

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:34)

When I searched for this word (I have a computer Bible), I found meditation has several meanings. Two main definitions suggest that meditation is about talking to oneself or pondering, either silently or aloud, and either in a positive or negative manner.

One of these words focuses on rehearsing, repenting or going over a matter in one’s mind. According to the context, it can be translated as “meditate” meaning a silent reflection on God’s Word or works, or “talk” which means to speak aloud about what God does. If there is pain involved, it can be translated “to complain.” One variation appears three times and represents pious meditation, such as here in this verse…

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97)

Psalm 77 uses this word several times in the way that I normally think of meditation…

When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints… I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search…. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:3, 6, 12)

Another word that is often translated as “meditation” tends to have extreme uses. It might refer to evil plots originating in the heart of the wicked, thoughts that are expressed in lying and deceitful words.

Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. (Psalm 38:12)

However, it can also mean the pondering done by a righteous person seeking a proper answer which leads to talking about wisdom or God’s righteousness. In one of my favorite verses, “the meditation of my heart” is parallel to “the words of my mouth,” as the psalmist compares his own speech with what God communicates…

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Another positive use relates to meditating upon the Word of God which, like the plots of the wicked, can go on day and night, but with far better results!

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2)

As I read these verses and think (meditate) on my own thought-life, the importance of a disciplined mind seems obvious. Jesus said that it is out of the heart (inner man, thoughts) that my words and actions come. I need to guard my heart for that reason, for if the heart is right, then I don’t have to worry about saying or doing the right thing.

My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. (Psalm 49:3)