How Moving to Honduras Has Shifted the Way I Think
Do you struggle to have the mind of Christ in every situation? If so, here are three suggestions.
In the summer of 2022, my husband and I left the familiarity of urban Indiana and moved to rural Copan, Honduras. As the novelty faded, I realized that my biggest adjustment was not only cultural—it was mental. Missionary life lacked the structure of my former teaching job, leaving more mental space for intrusive thoughts.
Additionally, we began working with a deeply impoverished community. Learning how to live amongst poverty while simultaneously having money in our personal bank account is a very difficult tension to navigate.
I could no longer allow the busyness of life to carry me along from one decision to the next. I experienced unwanted thoughts in a way I never had before. Were the daily decisions I was making the right ones? Was I using my time wisely enough?
A Life-Altering Change
One morning, I came across a devotional[1] that would be life-altering for me. The author quoted 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where Paul says, 19 “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.” Up until then I had always used that verse as a reminder to eat less chocolate and exercise more.
However, the author pointed out that a vital part of our earthly temple is our mind. She described the Old Testament temple in vivid detail, resplendent with precious metals, ornate furniture, and luxurious fabrics. That image made me pause and ask myself: Am I making my mind that beautiful? Just as the Old Testament builders took painstaking care to create something of beauty, am I intentionally shaping my mind to be a place filled with beauty and life-giving thoughts?
I began to see verses like Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2 in a new light. I had always known I should set my mind on things that were good and pure, but the image of creating a gorgeous temple helped change my motivation and approach. Instead of beating myself up for not thinking the “right” thoughts, I began working on filling my mind with things of beauty—thoughts that would result in beauty spilling out of my life.
Three Helpful Practices
This is not a lesson I have mastered but one I am continually learning. However, I have found a few helpful practices along the way.
First, highlight the beauty around you. My husband loves waking me up, much to my chagrin, to see beautiful sunrises. Taking three minutes out of my day to pause and marvel at creation does wonders to refocus my mind. Take pictures of things around you that are beautiful: nature, animals, or smiling faces.
Second, take time to create (Ephesians 2:10). In a consumer world that is happy to simply ingest the content of others, take time to be a creator. Journal, write poetry, or practice that musical instrument you don’t think you’re very good at.
Third, don’t complain (Philippians 2:14). Linda Dillow[2] tells of a missionary who lived in a remote village in Congo. When asked how she maintained so much joy in her life despite incredibly hard circumstances, the missionary cited a list of five requirements in her life. The first one was: Never allow yourself to complain about anything, even the weather. I have found that when I purposely eliminate complaints from my vocabulary, my mind slowly follows suit.
Life isn’t always marked by dramatic changes like moving to a new country. Sometimes, it’s just incredibly monotonous. Yet, as I focus on beautifying my mind, I find I can serve the Lord with more joy and peace. And what better witness could there be to the world around us than seeing the joy of serving Jesus?
[1] Joni Eareckson Tada, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020).
[2] Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Peace in Every Situation (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2008).
