What does “…Gird up the loins of your mind” mean? Modern translations put it in various ways; mostly, “Prepare your minds for action”. One I rather like says “So brace up your minds…” And yet another, rather more daringly, says “So roll up your sleeves and get your head in the game”! However, a little thought and study bring us to the more likely meaning, that of protection. In Ephesians 6 v14 Paul tells us to “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…”. The picture is of a Roman soldier putting on his belt. The belt, quite literally ‘girded’ him. It covered his whole waist area back and front. Its purpose was for protection, and for carrying other pieces of weaponry.
Last week’s ‘Encouragement’ was about the ‘living hope’ we have in Christ. It closed with thanksgiving and praise for “A hope that is motivated by God’s mercy, activated by Christ’s resurrection, and expressed by our praise.” It is a hope that gives glory to God; a hope that is an ‘anchor of the soul’. The Bible describes my past life, before being born again, as a life “without Christ having no hope and without God in the world” Ephesians 2 v12. But, it also says that when I put my trust in Jesus Christ I was “Born again into a living hope” 1 Peter 1 v3.
Remember, Peter is writing to Christian brothers and sisters who are going through a time of trial. He is encouraging them not to lose hope. We may at times feel helpless, but we need not feel hopeless. We may even feel frustrated but, praise God, we are not forsaken. He is with us.
When Lockdown tends to get us down, and fears threaten our peace, then let’s rest a while; lift our anxieties to Him in prayer, and let His peace “guard our hearts and our minds”. Philippians 4 v7.
May His Word, His peace, and His promises be the ‘Safety Belt’ that guards our mind, and may the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Be blessed,
Eddie.