That Pesky Last Nerve

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2^nd Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)

I cut my teeth on the 1611 King James Bible. For me, while newer translations can put the Word into ideas more readily understandable, there is a real loss of richness in the style, words, and descriptions of the KJV. I have been disappointed to find many English Bible versions translate the word 'sound mind' as 'self-control' or 'self-discipline.' The word in the Greek Paul uses here is sophronimos. It means sober discretion, prudence, good perspective, not given to flights of fancy. Many Bible translators found Paul's meaning to be 'sound mind.'

I have always loved that KJV translation of this verse because I found that anxieties, fears of the unforeseen, along with sinful thoughts of all kinds, left me with a mind in turmoil. I believe most of us can relate. We all need a little more sound mind.

Right now the world is laboring under the deadly threat of the Corona Virus or Covid-19. This serious disease has caused great suffering around the globe, but the media's mantra is 'If it bleeds, it leads' and pours out daily unsubstantiated information just to be the first to 'break it.' These actions prey on the public's fears, fueling anxieties and stresses. One needs a sound mind to cope with it.

In so much chaos is God there? Is He working in all this? The great twentieth century Christian theologian and apologist, A.W. Tozer, wrote, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”

Having a sound mind requires a thought process based on the inner working of the Holy Spirit. A sound mind stabilizes our inner and outer worlds. But it is more than just what we think. It defines us and reveals who we are. No thing, disease or otherwise, can stand before our God's will and power. As He works He will keep us through the storm, granting us peace and rest in a sound mind. What more could we ask or think? Take heart. To the glory of God this too shall pass and He will prevail. He offers you a sound mind through it all, relaxing the nerves, even down to that pesky last one.

Ken