My mind is stayed
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
I want perfect peace; don't you? Jesus left us His peace, and that is perfect peace. Why don't more believers walk in this perfect peace? I think this verse tells us why and gives us a key that will help us walk in what Jesus left us. We must keep our mind, which is part of our soul, stayed on Him. How do you do that? It starts with renewing your mind, which means changing your thought patterns. When you were born again, your soul was not born again, so it must be dealt with through the Word of God. The mind part of your soul can only be dealt with by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." When you begin to renew your mind, you begin to think God's thoughts; therefore, this is the beginning process of keeping your mind stayed on Him. You think His thoughts and begin to kick all other thoughts out. You now know you can control your thought life; and for some, it is harder than others, depending on their wiring. But to say, "I can't control my thoughts," is not true because you can. God said you can.
How else do you keep your mind stayed on Him? You, on purpose, think on godly things. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." We are told to think on certain things, those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. These are the things we should think about. When we do that, our mind is stayed on the Lord and perfect peace comes every time. If you and I do our part, God will most assuredly do His part and provide the peace. God cannot control what we think on. He is not in control of our mind, and neither is the devil. Since thoughts can come from the devil, how do you know if it is a thought from the devil? Run it through the check list I just gave you. I heard someone say this check list is like a "bouncer" at the door of your mind. If its name is not on the list, don’t let it in.
When you trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, you will be kept in perfect peace. If we will just acknowledge, on a continual basis, that we know that God has got this, and we really do trust Him, He will perfect everything that concerns us, so there is no need to worry, be anxious, nervous, or depressed. When we really trust Him, then His perfect peace shows up in our life.