I Have A Sound Mind

Finding Peace in the Storm, Strength in God, and Clarity in Life's Chaos.

Anxiety and depression are rampant, causing many to lose hope and even take their own lives. I hope this blog encourages you, wherever you find yourself at this time.

This is my notes from the message by Doug Wekenman's sermon at Red Rocks Church earlier this year. It addresses the core of our struggles with fear, anxiety, and depression. It offers profound truths and practical advice for achieving a sound mind.

Our hope is this truth will resonate with you.

Please share this with those you know are struggling, and who you believe need to hear there is HOPE!

Together, we can spread hope, healing and wholeness. Shalom Shalom!

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I wonder if the reason there is such a storm in our minds is because you know about every storm in the world. I wonder if we’re so anxious because we’re aware of every reason on the planet that we should be. I wonder if we would worry less if we had less to worry about.

Psalm 131:1-2

King David wrote this in Psalm 131, verses 1 and 2:

"Lord, my heart is not lifted up. My eyes are not raised too high. I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvellous for me, but I have calmed and quieted my soul."

The Gift of a Sound Mind

These are the words of a king. King David was a man ahead of his time. He lived before the iPhone, but he was also a king. Just like you and me, he had unlimited access to all of the information available in the world, but he seemed to limit his intake.

"I don’t consume myself with matters above my pay grade."

Translation - I’m not God.

The temptation is to carry all of the worries of the world, and we were not meant to do that. Running on information overload, praying for peace and praying for joy, waves of thought and mind preoccupation flood your boat and cause you to worry and fear. David knew, even as king, that he was never designed or asked to carry all of that.

"I’m not God. You’re really good at being God. I’m going to concentrate on being human. I’m going to do what I can. I’m going to give what I can and pray and post and help where I can. But at the end of the day, I have to trust God that you have the universe in your hands."

Despite being a king, David understood something profound—he was never meant to be God. He recognized that God alone carries the universe, and he chose to quiet his soul in relationship with Him.

God’s Invitation to Let Go

God does not invite us into a relationship based on our ability to figure everything out. He invites us into a relationship based on trust—trusting that He is God, and we are His beloved children. When we let go of the need to control everything, we begin to experience the peace of a sound mind.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

When your mind is cluttered, small decisions feel like mountains. When there is clarity of mind, there is clarity of decision-making. That is a sound mind. A sound mind is a promise that you practice.

A sound mind is a promise that comes from relationship. It is not something we achieve by eliminating every source of stress—it is something we receive by trusting in God’s presence with us. Choose carefully the voices we allow to fill our minds and hearts day by day. Turn the radio off, when you're driving in the car and enjoy the quiet time with Him.

Mark 4:38-39

"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."

All authority is His.

This is a picture of God’s heart for relationship with us. He does not remove every storm, but He is always with us in the storm. He calls us to trust that His presence is greater than the storm.

Matthew 28:18

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'"

You have been given authority over the mind between your ears. You have authority over your mind.

God's pursuit of relationship with us means that even when the waves feel overwhelming, we are not alone. He is in the boat with us.

Bible Heroes and Human Flaws

You did it – you are not it. Your past does not define you!

It’s true for all of us. Damage does not define you. God defines you. It’s okay to not be okay.

One of the greatest lies we believe is that our past disqualifies us from a relationship with God. Yet, God has always been pursuing broken, flawed people and inviting them into His purposes:

• Abraham was too old.

• Josiah was too young.

• Noah had a drinking problem.

• Moses killed a man.

• Adam and Eve ruined everything.

• Jacob was a liar.

• Gideon was afraid.

• David was an adulterer.

• Solomon was spoilt.

• Samson was a flirt, to put it in the PG-13 version.

• Rahab was a prostitute, so was Mary Magdalene.

• Jonah ran away from God.

• Peter denied Jesus.

• Thomas doubted.

• Paul persecuted.

• Lazarus was dead.

  
  

God pursued each of them. He called them into relationship, not perfection. Some of us have battled with anger, others with addiction. These things are common to man. Not only does God love us, He uses us! It’s okay to not be okay.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus was sound asleep on the boat. He had, and has a sound mind. He died for you. He rose again for you. He came to give you new life.

Stop making Christianity way harder on yourself than it is. Trying to cross the ocean that is your proverbial life, all on your very own. It was not meant to be that way. Align rather with the current of truth and the rhythms of grace that are right here and right now in Jesus. If you understand this revelation, it will change everything about your life.

Jesus did not come to bring a religion of burdens. He came to restore relationship—to reconcile us back to the Father.

He said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

— Matthew 11:28

The power of the gospel is not your love for Him; it is His love for you.

"For God so loved you that He came and provided a way for you to have a relationship with Him." The God of a sound mind. He loves you even when your emotions are a mess. He has got you. It’s okay to not be okay.

This is God’s greatest pursuit. The God of the universe, Creator God, He made a way for you to have eternal relationship with Him.

Practical Advice for Mental Health

It is okay to be okay, even though you’re not yet completely okay. All of life, this side of heaven, is about going through things. If you always wait to put all those things right, you will never have peace of mind.

So right now, in the middle of the lake, in the middle of the storm, it’s okay to be okay, even though you’re not completely okay. Ignoring your mental health is terrible for your mental health. Obsessing over your mental health is also terrible for your mental health.

You’ve heard people say “You’ll live!” There is much more God-given character and grit within you than you realize. You can get through this. God will help you. If anything, this will make you stronger. God will help you through it.

• Stop Carrying What God Never Asked You to Carry: You are not God. You do not have to solve every problem or carry every burden. Surrender what is beyond you, and trust that He holds the world.

• Focus on His Presence More Than the Storm: Instead of fixating on what you cannot control, fix your eyes on Jesus. His presence brings peace even when the waves rage around you.

• Speak Truth Over Your Mind: The enemy attacks the mind first, planting fear, doubt, and lies. Fight back with God’s Word: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7

• Rest in God’s Love, Not in Your Own Strength: You do not have to prove yourself to be worthy of peace. You are already deeply loved by the Father. Rest in that love.

Final Encouragement

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." — Ephesians 3:20

Your past does not define you. God defines you. Your storms do not define you. God’s presence in them does. A sound mind is not a destination. It is the fruit of a relationship with the One who loves you most. The invitation to trust, rest, and walk in peace is open to you today. God is with you. He is in the boat. And He is still pursuing you.

Stop overthinking life. Live life. You gotta live, you gotta try out and use your strength. There is more in you than you know. God is bigger than you think. It is okay to be okay.

God is with you in the storm. It is not to minimize the storms in your life; it is to say that you will be okay. God is with you. Fix your focus on your Savior. Let the one who made you define you. Let God bring testimony out of your trial.

You have been given a sound mind. A sound mind is not a destination; a sound mind is a current of the kingdom. The only prerequisite is your agreement.

Ephesians 3:20

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Remember, God defines you. Your damage does not define you. It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s also okay to be okay. God is with you in every storm, and He has given you a sound mind to navigate through life. Trust in His peace and strength.

The Daily Question

"Is what I am doing today drawing me closer into a relationship with God?"

If the answer is no, let go of what distracts you and lean into His presence, His peace.

I've Got A Sound Mind:

Finding Peace in the Storm, Strength in God, and Clarity in Life's Chaos.

Looking for next steps? See our Next Steps page for more.

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This powerful message is timely and relevant in a world overwhelmed by information overload and the prevalence of depression, fear and anxiety. Doug Wekenman of Red Rocks Church delivered this sermon, and these notes attempt to capture the essence of the message God led Doug to share that day. It is filled with profound truths for us to reflect on and apply to our lives.

May the Holy Spirit lead you and may God bless you as you seek hard after Him!

Please share this with your friends and family.