Fence Post Wisdom for a Fretful Mind

Well, come on in and wipe your boots, friend! The cornbread's still steamin', the sweet tea's sweatin' on the windowsill, and there's a rocker on this ol’ front porch with your name stitched on the cushion. Set down for a lil’ spell. We ain't in a hurry here, no more than an ol’ possum on a fence rail.

Now, let's talk about that three pound biscuit between your ears. Your brain is mostly fat, floats in fluid like a pickle in a jar, runs on a fifth of your body's energy, and hums along with 86 billion neurons. That's a whole lot more chatter than a henhouse at feedin’ time. But here's the part that really matters, friend. It ain't the size of your brain that steers your life. It's what you let git to roostin’ in it.

Thoughts are like critters. Feed an ol’ stray raccoon on the back steps, and he'll bring his whole family and raid the pantry by Tuesday. Worry, bitterness, and grumblin’ will move in the same way. Scripture says, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is sho’-nuff’ life and peace" (Romans 8:6). Life and peace sure beats a pantry full of meddlin’ raccoons.

So, who stocks the shelves of a mind worth havin’? Job asked it plain as a fence post: "Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?" (Job 38:36). The answer is God, and not a soul else. Proverbs 2:6 backs it up: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Wisdom ain't somethin’ we squeeze out of ourselves like a dry dishrag. It's downright handed down like Grandma's recipe, one generous spoonful at a time.

And what’s our part in all of this? We’ve gotta be keepin’ our minds plum soaked in the Word, readin’ it, chewin’ on it, and tuckin’ it away like a lil’ ol’ squirrel with acorns before winter. Isaiah 26:3 promises, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." A mind fixed on God sleeps mighty sound, even when the thunder rolls and the cows get real spooked.

Friend, this week let Scripture be the first thing that greets your thoughts, like an ol’ crowin’ rooster at dawn. Let it chase out all of them frettin’ varmints and turn your mind into a quiet, sturdy ol’ barn where peace can bed down. The Maker of your mind knows every wire in there, and He loves tendin’ to what He built. Trust Him with the whole place, from the hayloft of your hopes to the root cellar of your fears.

Father, You made my mind, so tend it. Pull out them weeds of worry, plant Your Word deep, and fill my heart with understanding and peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now, pass over one of them warm-buttered biscuits and scoot on out there, friend! Hold your head up like a rooster on a rail post and go on out into the wide world lettin’ the Lord's peace follow you home like an ol’ happy hound dog with muddy paws. Y'all come back now, ya hear?

With joy,

Gwen