“Be Kind” to Your Mind.
We’ve all been there. Sitting in a public place, minding our own business, when a single phrase catches our eye. Maybe it’s on a billboard, a coffee mug, or even a stranger’s t-shirt. Today, for me, it was a simple message on a shirt across the breakfast table: “Be Kind to Your Mind.”
The irony wasn’t lost on me. “Be kind?” I thought. “My mind has become a battlefield. My thoughts run wild and I find it hard to be encouraged.”
Can you relate? We all have those days, those weeks, or even longer stretches where our minds feel like a constant storm of negativity. It’s hard to find encouragement when you’re caught up in the downpour.
C.S. Lewis, in his profound work “The Screwtape Letters,” uses the metaphor of “the Enemy” to represent the forces that work against our faith and well-being. Lewis portrays these forces as constantly whispering doubts and anxieties in our ears. This resonates deeply. Our minds can be relentless in their negativity, a constant barrage of self-criticism, worry, and fear.
The Bible acknowledges this struggle as well. In Romans 7:23, Paul writes, “I see another law at war in my members, one that is at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.” This verse paints a picture of the internal conflict we can experience — the mind at war with itself.
The message on the shirt, despite my initial resistance, was actually offering something powerful: a chance to choose kindness. Not some fake, Pollyanna-ish positivity, but a genuine recognition that our minds deserve care and compassion, even (especially?) when they’re being difficult.
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Shouldn’t that love extend to our own minds as well? Author and speaker Max Lucado writes, “You wouldn’t yell at a wounded person. You wouldn’t call them names. Then why do you talk to yourself like that?”
And that is so true. Wounds are everywhere in this world. They come in all shapes and sizes, from physical injuries to emotional scars. Look around you — in your workplace, your family, your house of worship. Everyone you encounter carries some kind of wound.
This is a powerful reminder. We wouldn’t treat a friend experiencing a physical injury with harshness. Why, then, do we allow our inner critic to speak to us with such cruelty?
The truth is, we all have these wounds, and they can manifest in negative self-talk and a critical inner voice. But here’s the good news: The same compassion we extend to others can be extended to ourselves. By recognizing our own wounds and treating ourselves with kindness, we can begin to heal from the inside out.
So, how do we actually “be kind to our minds?” Here are a few practical strategies:
- Challenge Negative Thoughts: Our thoughts aren’t always facts. When negativity arises, challenge its validity. Ask yourself: “Is this thought helpful? Is it true?” Philippians 4:8 offers guidance: “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.”
- Practice Gratitude: Focusing on what we’re grateful for can shift our perspective. Taking time each day to reflect on the blessings in our lives, big or small, can help interrupt negative thought patterns. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, allowing us to choose how we respond rather than reacting on autopilot. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This verse can be a reminder to quiet our minds and find peace in God’s presence.
- Seek Support: We don’t have to go through this battle alone. Talking to a trusted friend, therapist, or spiritual leader can provide valuable support and guidance. Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Sharing our struggles can be the first step towards finding relief.
Perhaps the most important strategy is to remember that we are not alone in this struggle. God cares deeply for us, even when our minds are a mess.
Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Be kind! To yourself.
