Finding Peace and Opening Your Mind: A Journey of Faith

Finding True Refreshment for Your Mind and Heart: A Spiritual Journey

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy for our minds to become cluttered, our thoughts anxious, and our perspectives narrow. We often yearn for a sense of peace and clarity, a way to truly open up our minds and hearts to what is good and nourishing. Just as stepping into a calm, open landscape can refresh our spirit, cultivating an open mind enables us to see new perspectives and experience profound tranquility.

Finding My Way to Peace: A Journey of Faith

You know, for the longest time, I was convinced that peace was something you had to earn. I thought if I just worked hard enough, planned every detail, and controlled every outcome, I would finally find that feeling of calmness everyone talks about. But instead of peace, all I found was anxiety. It felt like my mind was a crowded room, filled with "what if" scenarios and a constant loop of worries. I was searching for an escape, but I was carrying the storm with me everywhere I went. 

I also realized my mind had become a fortress. I was so focused on protecting myself from disappointment that I shut myself off from new ideas and people who saw the world differently than I did. I was stuck in a cycle, and I knew something had to change.

That's when I decided to take a step back and really turn to my faith. These holy scriptures offer beautiful and practical guidance for cultivating an open and peaceful mind. These verses have often provided strength and reassurance on this journey:

1. As Scripture says in Matthew 6:34 (NWT): "So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles." This encourages me to focus on the present, releasing the burden of future worries that can clutter my mind. 
2. As well in Philippians 4:6, 7 (NWT) says: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.”

Reading that, I felt a weight lift. It wasn't about me controlling everything; it was about trusting someone else with the outcome. I started a simple practice: when a wave of anxiety hit, I would consciously say a prayer about it. Not just a quick, rushed prayer, but a real, honest conversation, laying out my worries and trusting that they were heard.

Renewing Your Mind

To truly find refreshment, it's essential to change the way you think. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Romans 12:2:

And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

As my heart became more peaceful, something else happened—my mind started to open up. I realized that my rigid thinking and closed-off mindset were a result of fear, not wisdom. This verse encourages a conscious effort to resist the negative influences of the world and to actively renew your mind. This transformation is not just an external change, but an internal one that affects your entire outlook. By doing so, you can discern God's will, which leads to a peaceful and fulfilling life. This practice began to quiet the noise in my mind. 

I started looking at my beliefs and assumptions, not to tear them down, but to see if they were truly aligned with what is the will of God for our own good. I started listening to others with genuine curiosity, not just waiting for my turn to speak. I found that by opening my mind to new perspectives and, more importantly, to the wisdom from God’s Word, I was able to find joy and understanding in places I never expected.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NWT) says: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight." This counsels us to humble ourselves, trusting in God's wisdom rather than solely in our own limited understanding, which leads to clear direction in life.

So, how can you begin to open your mind and heart to God's peace? On this journey of opening your mind for good, consider these steps;

1. Allocate Quiet Time: I set aside moments each day for quiet reflection, meditation on scripture, and prayer. This helps me declutter my mind.
2. Study God's Word: Meditate on its truths. Allow the words to sink into your heart and transform your way of thinking.
3. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a grateful heart. Focusing on blessings helps to shift perspective away from negativity.
4. Pray for Discernment: Ask Jehovah for help in understanding His will and for the wisdom to apply it in your life. Begin each day by offering your thoughts and anxieties to God. Ask for guidance and wisdom, and for help in seeing the world through His eyes.
5. Practice Forgiveness: Holding onto bitterness and resentment clutters the mind. Choose to forgive those who have hurt you, and release yourself from the burden of anger.
6. Embrace Humility: A humble heart is an open heart. Acknowledge that you don't have all the answers and be willing to learn from others and from God. 
7. Release Control: Learn to let go of what you cannot change and trust that a higher power is at work. 

Opening your mind isn't merely about intellectual curiosity; it’s a profound spiritual journey. It means letting go of preconceived notions, negative thought patterns, and the anxieties that weigh us down. It's about actively cultivating a mindset that is receptive to divine wisdom, peace, and love. This journey transforms not only how we think but also how we feel and interact with the world around us. It brings a deeper sense of contentment and purpose. May your mind be truly refreshed and open to the goodness that comes from aligning with divine wisdom.

My journey isn't over, of course. I still have days when a worry pops into my head. But now, I know what to do. I turn to prayer, study the Words of God, and remember that the peace of God is something that can guard my heart and my mind, and yours, too. It’s an incredible feeling to have found my way out of the storm and into a place of peace, and it all started by choosing to trust and to truly open up.

For me, this journey is deeply intertwined with my faith. The Bible offers timeless wisdom on how to transform our minds and find true peace. Here are a few more verses that have guided me:

• Ephesians 4:23: "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." This verse reminds us that true renewal comes not from our own strength, but from the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
• Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way to everlasting." This is a prayer for honesty and self-reflection, asking God to reveal the hidden corners of our hearts and minds so that we can truly be transformed.
• Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." This promise offers comfort and hope, assuring us that when we anchor our minds in trust in God, we will experience an unshakable peace.
• 2 Timothy 1:7: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." This verse encourages us to shed fear and embrace the power, love, and self-discipline that God provides, all of which are essential for opening our minds.
• Romans 8:6: "For setting the mind on the flesh means death, but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace." This verse highlights the difference between a worldly mindset and a spiritual one, pointing to where true life and peace are found.
• Colossians 3:2: "Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth." This encourages us to elevate our thoughts beyond the temporary and focus on what is eternal and truly nourishing for the soul.
• Psalm 119:34 (NWT): "Give me understanding, so that I may observe your law and keep it with my whole heart." This is a heartfelt plea for spiritual understanding, showing that an open mind seeks to comprehend and live by God's wisdom.
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NWT): "We are tearing down reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." This powerful scripture highlights the active effort required to control our thoughts, bringing them into alignment with spiritual truth.
• Hebrews 4:12 (NWT): "For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from their marrow, and can discern thoughts and intentions of the heart." This verse shows that God's word can penetrate to the deepest parts of our being, offering clarity and healing for our thoughts and motivations. Regular meditation on the Bible is a key to finding this spiritual refreshment.

I also want to take a moment to thank my friends. Their support and encouragement on this journey have meant the world to me, and I’m so grateful for their help in studying God’s Word.


Opening your mind is an ongoing process, a beautiful journey of faith and self-discovery. It's about living "LIVESTRONG," not just in body, but in spirit and in mind. By intentionally creating space, reflecting on our thoughts, and grounding ourselves in faith, we can find a lasting peace that transforms our lives from the inside out.



I hope that wherever you are on your own journey, you can find the courage to do the same. 

All the best,

Lea 🫶