BY: Teresa LeNeave - leneave2@comcast.net

This world seems to create an atmosphere of anxiety. I'm convinced, a lot of things that people feel are brought on by things we hear. We hear speakers, both religious and political, saying things that are meant to get under our skin. And we let it! People feel overwhelmed. I feel it too, but I think I bring some of it on myself.

What we focus on can overwhelm us. I'm reminded of how Apostle Paul warned us about this topic when he said we should think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. He said to look for things of virtue (good moral qualities) and of ways to praise (Philippians 4:8). That tells me I have some control over my mind and what I allow to dwell on.

The point is, not everything we hear is beneficial. In fact, some of it is downright detrimental. I saw something someone shared on Facebook that said, "Sometimes, I just have to turn off the news and put on a true crime documentary so I can relax". That's a little drastic, but it does say we have a responsibility to protect our own minds.

We say we want good things in our lives but science and the Bible, both, say our thoughts influence and support how we live our lives. The question is, "what are we thinking about?" Where do our thoughts lead us? Are they directing us toward good things or harmful things? Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life".

How do we "keep our heart with all diligence"? For starters, diligence is not giving up. Diligence is to keep on keeping on. It's impossible to stop "hearing" things that are harmful to our hearts, but we can be diligent about NOT dwelling on it. I've had people who have deeply hurt my feelings, but if I let myself dwell on it, I would definitely end up with emotional pain that wouldn't go away. I think managing the moments really matter.

I'm continuing to learn how to manage the moments ... the moments that bring me excess stress and even anger. I think that's what Solomon meant when he said "keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". Solomon wants us to practice managing the stress moments ... the unhealthy mind moments.

These days, we hear a lot about 'toxic people', but there are toxic conversations, too. The Bible speaks often about guarding both the heart (our inner thoughts) and the mind (how we think, discern and focus). God's message for "managing the moments" is not just to avoid harmful influences, but to actively cultivate a life centered on God.

2 Cor. 10:5 says, "...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This suggests actively evaluating thoughts and opinions rather than automatically accepting them. Just because the world creates an atmosphere of anxiety, we don't have to be caught in its trap. We can actively, and intentionally, practice managing the moments of our lives by renewing our minds through God's truth. His words have more power than we realize and it can help us manage the moments.