Sound Mind
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“He developed his grandfather’s chemical wholesale company into Germany’s largest pharmaceutical wholesaler. In the early 1970s, he founded Germany’s first generic drug manufacturer. For several decades he also held large parts of a cement company as well as vehicle manufacturer.
He was educated as a lawyer, but spent most of his time investing in and developing his companies. He has a wife, and four children.
In 2007, he was worth US$12.8 billion by most estimates (Forbes), and by May 2008 he was worth $9.2 billion, a loss of $3.6 billion. In 2006, he was the world’s 36th richest man, dropping to 94th place by December 2008, but still one of Germany’s five richest men.
At the end of 2008 his investment company, faced a liquidity shortage. He negotiated with the banks to acquire a bridge loan and keep his investment company afloat.
In the same 2008, he also made a speculative investment on car manufacturer and got it very wrong. Adolf Merckle committed suicide on 5 January 2009 by throwing himself in front of a train near his hometown!”
What a tragedy! Most people would ask why someone like this would commit suicide. What went wrong? He was a celebrated investor, and despite his losses, he was still one of Germany’s five richest men! But he just lost it, and took his life! It is a mystery.
Sound mind is a very important part of the human well-being, irrespective of your station in life. It is very disastrous when you lose it.
Paul knew this, and prayed for sound mind for his young son, Timothy.
READ 2 Timothy 1:3-7
“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:3-7)
Apostle Paul, writing to his young protégée, Timothy, told him to stir up the gift of God which is in him through the laying on of my hands, then added,
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.“
The use of the coordinating conjunction “for” here is very crucial. It links this statement directly with the previous one and can be read as,
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands BECAUSE God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
In summary, the spirit of God first takes all our fears away, through His perfect love for us( 1 John 4:18); and then replaces it with power, love, and sound mind.
You have this sound mind because you know Daddy God, the Maker, the Owner, the Creator; has got your back! You are so confident in this so much so that even if all seem to be crumbling around you, you quote Romans 8:28, and tell yourself:
“And I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Do you want sound mind? It is in Christ. You only need to stir up your gift.
MEMORY VERSE
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.“ (2 Timothy 1:7)
QUESTIONS
1. What is bothering your mind today?
2. Why not bare it all out to God today?
PRAYER TIP
God Almighty, please help us to always remember that you are the true source of peace, and sound mind. Help us to stir up our gift.
Written by:
Benny Malm
For:
Testimony Devotional
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