Renew Your Mind – with Phil Tait

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Kia Ora friend,

In the latest Reviving Hope podcast episode Phil Tait talks with me about a powerful practice for renewing our minds, and strengthening our souls.

This conversation is about the benefits of meditating on and memorising Scripture. You will hear it is an activity that changed Phil’s mental health and caused him to thrive in life.

Over many years Phil has ministered in different denominations in New Zealand. Phil is married to Bron who also appears on the podcast (see episode two for Bron Tait’s Story). Most recently Phil and Bron are ministering in Vineyard churches in Christchurch and around New Zealand. They also minister in a church in Melbourne Australia.

Renew Your Mind – Ideas for Learning Scripture

Learning scripture in small steps has also helped me in my mental health and wellbeing.

Meditating on and learning Scripture is powerful but is worth noting that it is just one way of renewing our minds and strengthening our relationship with God.

‘I get into this because I enjoy it…It’s a discipline too but I’ve seen the effects on my life ‘
Phil Tait

My mind needs regular exercise. I notice that in the times I am learning Scripture, I know more inner strength and stability in my emotions.

For reference, the Bible, the Word, and Scripture are all referring to the same thing.

Why meditate on and memorise Scripture if you are struggling emotionally?

God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). God can renew our minds and strengthen our inner being. We get saved in a moment but need to participate in the process of renewing our minds.
If we are thinking on God’s truths we can give our minds a rest from unhelpful thoughts. This activity of learning Scripture is helping train our brain what to think on. Learning something new is also a good activity for our brains.

Some ideas for meditating on Scripture

Ask God to help you with what you are learning and to believe it for yourself.
Speak, declare, proclaim your scripture to yourself. As Phil says ‘I preach to my soul’. It can feel weird to do, but the spoken word is powerful. Proclaiming Scripture and praying in the Spirit can go well together.
Consider walking or doing something else while meditating -doubling up two good activities. I go to the park, use my phone with my Bible app, put my ear buds in and walk while speaking and thinking on what I’m learning.
Encourage yourself for whatever you do. Be pleased for the day of small beginnings. A verse a week can be an achievable way to get into this.

‘You often feel you’ve never done enough. Whatever you give to the LORD in prayer is wonderful- that you’re actually doing it’
Phil Tait

Some Scriptures on God’s Love for You

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 (NIV).
God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jesus’ words). John 3:16 (NIV)
The earth, O LORD is full of your steadfast love. Psalm 119:64 (NRSV)
But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 (NRSV)
He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39 (NIV)
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. Isaiah 66:13 (NRSV)
And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know that love that surpasses knowledge. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)