With a tiny bit of trepidation and the need to refresh my memory, I’ve just searched to find a short devotion I submitted for publication that was rejected.

I often am met with puzzled expressions or worse, a squinty eyed and wrinkled forehead over the things I say, the things I think.

I responded to a poll by an author who is studying brain science, how the science of the brain is effected by relational trauma.

I typed…

“I’d love to know if memories of trauma can ever completely go away?”

Once, in a conversation with a clinician friend who is an expert in all things amygdala related, I proposed

One day, what if one day, scientists discover how to surgically remove traumatic memories from the brain?

My friend looked at me, knowing I was serious and it seemed, she was deeply moved by such an imaginative hope.

I realize I’m sometimes too much for some people.

I reread my submitted devotion, maybe too heavy or even “far fetched” over the possibility that Jesus might have a mind like mine. Or maybe, the tone was wrong, less than perfect grammar or perhaps, it was not a fit for a book of 40 days to a stronger, more courageous mind I suppose.

Rejection doesn’t bother me as much as before. I love writing. I’m owning my voice, honesty and all.

So here’s what I wrote:

A Mind Like Mine, Is it Possible?

Lisa Anne Tindal

Key Verse: “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” ‘ But we have the mind of Christ.” I Corinthians 2:16 ESV

Countless days I have felt the unwelcome weight on my chest, the creeping up of vice-like unrest brought on by my thoughts.The recurring nuisance of anxiety for no reason that feels like entrapment.

I pause and question the cause. I say private prayers, take long walks and do something creative with my hands. I clean. I rearrange shelves or entire rooms. I do some stretches. I put my legs against the wall and my hands on my chest.

I remind myself of the most important, although not instantaneous response.

I remind myself that my loving Father would never desire or cause me to feel this way. I recall the promise in II Timothy, written by Paul, a prisoner awaiting execution. I say to myself, “This feeling is not from God.”.

“…for God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  II Timothy 1:7 ESV

I also remind myself of Paul’s words that assert we are able to understand our Father God because we have the mind of Christ. Our minds are changed, comforted, informed by the Holy Spirit in us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. 

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” ‘ But we have the mind of Christ.” I Corinthians 2:16 ESV

The thought of having the mind of Christ captivates me and stirs curiosity over the characteristics that would define such a mind.

So, I created a poll on Instagram, added a little note saying “doin’ some research”. I asked my followers to give me a word to describe the mind of Jesus. There was nary an answer, lots of hearts and likes, but no participation in the poll.

Could it be the question was beyond actually believing that our minds could be “Jesus-like”?

Just last week, questions over a decision prompted questions of God.

“Why the resistance to your call on my life?” 

“Have I ever felt that I knew your will without question, or have I spent my whole life making iffy choices that you’ve redeemed?” 

“What is your will for me God?” I opened my Bible to search for a verse in Micah. Instead, my eyes met a sketch I’d created on the pages of Joshua.

A woman with a posture of listening and my handwriting reminding, “Incline your heart to the Lord.” ( Joshua 24:23 ESV) and boldly circled verses with the words,sincerity, faithfulness.

Sincerity and faithfulness,

I would insert in the IG poll because I have known my Savior to be sincere in His faithfulness to me.

I wonder how my fear, anxiety and resistance might fade if I dared to believe that because I have the mind of Christ, with humble grace I could say in time, “His mind is like mine.”

What a beautiful thought worth embracing.

I can be sincere, and I can choose faithfulness. My mind can be without torment.

My mind can be changed by my heart’s position. My mind can be gently faithful and with sincerity, become more content, less shaken.

Confidently, “more me”.

A Prayer: 

Lord, you understand our minds unrelentingly. You lead us to be questioners in your Will. You answer. You calm. You strengthen our minds. You help us see ourselves from your perspective. You help our minds to connect with our hearts and to be still, to know what is good, acceptable and perfect according to you.Incline us to your heart, Lord. We will trust that our minds will follow.

I’m not sure I’m a devotion writer. I’m not sure about writing at all. I’m only sure that as I write, as I grow.

I’m less bothered by this “enigmatic” mind of mine.

Continue and believe.

With sincerity and faithfulness, you are deeply loved.

As am I.