Have you ever felt like your mind is constantly running but never at rest? Anxiety, sleepless nights, endless scrolling, supplements, medications, therapy—these have become the default responses for so many of us trying to cope with stress and mental overload.

Here’s the problem: coping isn’t the same as healing.

And God’s plan for your mind isn’t survival—it's renewal.

At City Church, a non-denominational church in Springdale, AR, we believe God calls us not just to manage our anxiety but to experience true peace and order through Him. Jesus’ words in Matthew 22 remind us of the greatest commandment:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

In this series, we’ve explored what it means to love God with our heart (our emotions) and soul (our being). Now, let’s talk about the mind—our thoughts, focus, and understanding—and why loving God with “all your mind” might be the missing piece in finding peace and purpose.

The Mind is Central to Spiritual Health

When Jesus gave this command, He was being challenged by religious leaders. Instead of crumbling under pressure, He answered their questions with precision and wisdom—grounded in Scripture.

Why? Because Jesus knew God’s Word deeply. His confidence flowed from His understanding.

That’s the key for us too: Confidence and peace come from order. And order comes from knowing the truth of God’s Word.

When our minds are filled with fear, confusion, or doubt, it’s often because we’re running low on biblical truth. Jesus said in Matthew 22:29,

“Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”

If we want to love God with all our mind, we need to fill it with His truth.

How Did We Drift Away From Loving God with Our Mind?

Historically, the church was once the center of intellectual life. Many of the world’s top universities—Harvard, Yale, Oxford—were founded to train pastors and teach Christian worldview.

But in the 1800s, things shifted. Philosophers like Immanuel Kant taught that we couldn’t know ultimate truth, only our perception of it. Then Charles Darwin’s theories challenged the biblical account of creation. Instead of responding with knowledge and confidence, the church largely withdrew from intellectual engagement.

Faith became more about feelings and less about discipleship. Emotion replaced study. This “anti-intellectual” movement left believers unprepared to defend or share their faith.

The result? Confusion. The rise of unbiblical movements. And a lack of confidence in evangelism that still lingers in churches today—even among well-meaning believers in Springdale churches and across Northwest Arkansas.

Why Loving God with Your Mind Matters

If we remove the mind from our faith, we lose something critical. Without knowledge of God’s Word, we struggle with:

Confidence – Unsure of how to explain or defend our faith.

Peace – Anxiety thrives in confusion and disarray.

Purpose – Without truth, our lives feel aimless and scattered.

Evangelism – It’s hard to share what we don’t fully understand.

Paul warned us in Colossians 2:8:

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense… rather than from Christ.”

We don’t avoid learning or thinking deeply. Instead, we anchor our thinking in Scripture, viewing everything through the lens of God’s truth.

How to Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2)

Paul offers a clear command in Romans 12:2:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Here are four ways you can begin renewing your mind:

1. Study the Bible Deeply

Move beyond surface-level reading. Study Scripture in its context. Use study Bibles, commentaries, or join a Bible study group. Our faith-based community in Springdale is committed to discipleship because we believe Scripture fuels transformation.

2. Read and Learn

Engage your mind with books and devotionals that stretch your understanding of God and His world. J.P. Moreland’s Love Your God With All Your Mind is a great place to start.

3. Engage in Conversation

Don’t retreat from big questions. Talk about faith at home, in small groups, or even in public spaces. Christianity has always been intellectually robust—don’t be afraid to engage.

4. Guard Your Inputs

Be intentional about what you let shape your thoughts. Limit toxic media and “empty philosophies” that stir anxiety or contradict biblical truth.

A Mind Transformed Leads to Peace

If you’re overwhelmed by anxiety or uncertainty, maybe the answer isn’t to try harder—but to feed your mind better.

God’s design is clear:

When we love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, our lives begin to align. Order replaces chaos. Confidence replaces fear. Peace replaces anxiety.

Final Thought: A Challenge to Renew Your Mind

If your mind has been scattered, distracted, or weighed down, take this as your invitation to start fresh.

Commit to learning Scripture. Read deeply. Think deeply. Worship with your whole mind. At City Church in Springdale, we’re passionate about helping people grow in their faith—not just emotionally, but intellectually too.

If you’ve been longing for peace, purpose, and clarity, start by renewing your mind. Love God with all your mind—and watch how He transforms your heart, soul, and life.