Feeding our Minds

Just as the food you eat changes and affects our bodies, so the thoughts that we feed our minds change our character and our actions. In Romans 12, Paul draws attention to the role the mind plays in growing Christian character when he writes, ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12:1-2).

One piece of research suggested that we are bombarded by more than 10,000 messages each day. Many of those pass by unnoticed, but it is the thoughts we allow to settle that have the deep power to change. The content of our conversations, our complaints and celebrations, what we watch and share online, what we read and think about, even our daydreams - these are the thoughts that eventually make their way out in our character and actions. At school we are in the business of feeding minds. However, it is good for all of us, staff and parents as well, to consider what we put into our own mind and allow to settle.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things […] And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

Here Paul encourages the Philippian church to be quite deliberate about what they feed their mind. It is easy for our minds to trace well-worn habits and slip into familiar paths. So may we make a conscious effort to feed our minds those things that will transform our character and draw us closer to the peace of God.

Rev Peter Tong Senior Chaplain