Could it be Something You Ate? THRIVE, 14

I....Intentional ~ on our second trip through T.H.R.I.V.E. podcast link: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1cdd1463/could-it-be-something-you-ate-thrive-14 You are what you eat. We have heard the expression since we were kids and understood it referred to proper nutrition. People seem particularly health conscious here in Southern California where I live, with a focus on diet and exercise. However, I notice that same value does not carry over to what we feed our minds--not talking about brain food like seeds, fish and berries--talking about what we allow into our thinking. ' I ' in T.H.R.I.V.E. is for Intentional. Here's the thing - if we want to think well - you and I need to be selective about what we let into our minds. What we feed our minds is equally important as what we feed our bodies-- in both cases, our consumption ought fuel us, ought better us! During this challenging season of Covid-19, our mental input is particularly vital. This has gone on longer than we thought and all of us are affected by it in lesser or greater ways, so we need to guard our minds. I mentioned the other day about being with my friend, hearing her phone ping with a CNN update, then a bit later, a Fox update … why? Why are we waiting for constant news about this virus? Fact is, the media has been masterful in keeping us tuned in, and they have played us well. Fearmongering is the word of the day. On the other hand, some are binge watching Netflix and Youtube, nursing scrollers’ thumb because of constant scanning of Instagram and other social media. Parents have let down their guards about what they are allowing on television for children to consume . . . ‘ah, it’s no big deal,’ they casually say. Really? Are you sure? I do not stand in judgment … I only offer this thought: be careful. If we ought be careful about what goes into our mouths to nourish our bodies (or not), shouldn’t we also be careful about what goes into our minds? After all, what goes into our minds will be replayed, consciously or subconsciously. Seriously, how about this thought of Job’s, the man with many trials? ‘I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.1 Job was not alone with such thoughts; how about Jeremiah? ‘ ‘When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.’2 O Lord, spawn in our hearts the same desire for your words as Job and Jeremiah! Because I know my mind THRIVES on the Word of God, I get it in as many ways as I am able--biblically based podcasts. [listed below]3 People ask what I am reading or listening to on Audible: Spirit Rising (again) by Jim Cymbala; Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons, Jesus in Me by Anne Graham Lotz and 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders, and a few others. For recreational reading, I like John Grisham. 'Trouble sleeping? There seems to be some good research that indicates watching violent content, whether on television or playing video games [again, that to which we are opening up our minds], can increase nightmares and sleep disturbances. Since sleep is precious and the subconscious mind is disturbed enough to impact its quality, I have eliminated late night news, including Apple News updates on my phone as well; drifting off to sleep with a smile on my face is preferable! "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4.23 Scripture tells us if we want wisdom, all we have to do is ask God for it and he will give it to us.4 Let's be wise--that is prudent, discerning and Intentional--about what we consume, because whether it is food for our bodies or fodder for our minds, our health is affected by both! Christine DiGiacomo 1 - Job 23.12b 2 - Jeremiah 15.16 3 - podcasts to which I subscribe include: Brooklyn Tabernacle, Transformation Church, Zoe Church, The Alisa Childers Podcast, Rhythms for Life, RZIM: Let My People Think, Ravi Zacharias and Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch. Yes, they are all biblically based. 4 - James 1.5