Run Your Race: Part 4: Be Sober Minded

Scripture tells us that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion. He’s hungry and ready to devour anyone who falls prey to his deception. He patiently waits for just the right moment to catch us off guard. That’s why it’s imperative that we remain sober minded.

When I think of the word ‘sober,’ my mind immediately assumes the text is implying that we should abstain from drunkenness and the use of recreational drugs. However, that’s only scratching the surface of what being ‘sober-minded’ really means. While, yes, abstaining from drugs and alcohol is a part of remaining sober-minded, that definition alone neither encompasses the full meaning of the word nor does it help us to fully understand what Peter was really trying to say.

According to Miriam Webster, the word sober can also take on the following meanings:

• marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor

• marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness

• showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice

Synonyms include: straight, steady, clear headed, cool, temperate, level

That definitely gives more insight to how we should read and understand this scripture. We need to be level headed and not let anger get the best of us. We need to be clear minded, and remove any static or confusion from our thoughts.

Yikes! I don’t know about you, but there’s a lot of static and clutter in my brain. If I don’t get enough sleep, then I’m groggy. That’s not clear-headed! If I eat too much wheat or grains, it gives me terrible brain fog. If I allow my emotions to affect my behavior, then I’m definitely not acting earnestly or having a thoughtful demeanor. Geez! I’ve got work to do. Can I get even more candid with you? If I’m not taking the right medicine to bring balance to the chemicals in my brain, I’m not sober-minded.

Maintaining a sober mind can be more than abstaining from things. It can also involve treating any issues that could knock us out of balance. If you have ADHD, treat it. If you have a mood disorder, treat it. If you have stomach issues, treat them. If you have any health issues, treat them! It could be as simple as seeing a chiropractor once a month or changing your diet. Whatever you need to do to stay sober and alert, do it! That nasty, no-good devil is just waiting for us to show the tiniest bit of instability to pounce and knock us off our feet. We need balance to run well. We won’t make it to the end if we’re constantly getting knocked off our feet.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for my friend. I believe it’s not by coincidence that they’ve stumbled upon this blog post. I ask that You would reveal to them anything in their life that has been keeping them from being sure-footed. Any hindrance that prevents them from running their race and reaching the Prize, I pray You would expose and give them the grace to address it. Father, I bless my friend in Christ, and I pray for divine revelation in how to treat any infirmity that has been a stumbling block for them. Thank You for loving us enough to correct us. Thank You for being so merciful!

In Your Name I pray,

Amen