Loving God with the whole mind - not just pieces

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Faith strengthening and spirit nourishing books are ones that never leave the memory. Instead, they leave lasting impressions that pop into the minds of readers, days, months, and even years after the back cover has been closed.

These are books that no matter how old they get, they can be read over again, and somehow a new insight emerges from them – something that was overlooked the first time appears new.

Elizabeth George's "Loving God With All Your Mind" is such a book. The remedy for depression and worry are enclosed within its pages. Throughout the book George insists on memorizing and analyzing various scriptures; to refer to them whenever discouragement and doubt began linger and fester.

George implores her readers, whenever they find they are overwhelmed with worry or discouragement, to turn to comforting scriptures that reaffirm God’s provision and promise.   She opens with Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things." (NIV)

and breaks it down sentence by sentence, word by word, ultimately revealing a truth it’s so easy to lose sight of when depression hits. It’s hard to think on positive and praise-worthy things when blinded by the dark clouds of despair. It’s easy to forget about the true blessings in life when worries about the future infest the mind. But, George insists, these worries are nothing more than untruths; unreal – things that haven’t happened yet are untruths that do nothing more than distract from the goodness of God. In other words, it’s impossible to love God with the whole mind when it’s too busy obsessing over negative things that may or may not even happen. It’s impossible to love God completely when there’s doubt that things can and will work out for the best – especially if the best thing isn’t the desired thing.

In every chapter, George explains and uncovers more and more powerful truths, and continually encourages memorization of scripture as a way to control the mind’s focus. When faced with negative thoughts and doubts, Elizabeth George insists on focusing on what is true; what is real; what is good. When the mind is focused on all those wonderful things described in Philippians 4:8, then, and only then can one begin to love God with all the mind.

Rather than worrying about what’s missing consider and be thankful for what’s actually there. It’s that simple. Start counting blessings. Ask what life would be like without those blessings.   Suddenly, there’s far more to be hopeful for.

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