It is very tempting to let yourself get critical or suspicious of others with the incidents that occur on a seemingly daily basis. From not being able to understand your child’s homework, to your child being picked or pushed down by another student and not being able to communicate to the teacher what is happening, to feeling overwhelmed with all of the information that you are required to retain, and judging people that speak rudely to you. This does not just happen when you are living in a new country and trying to learn a new language, but there is always a battle for your thoughts to judge and be critical of others it just has been more apparent to me as I sit back and reflect on my day.

I’ve been reading the book Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer and have come to the understanding that learning a new language is not only training me how to speak a new language but it is teaching me how to be humble and have a non judgmental mind. Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” This includes our thoughts, as I fill my mind with new vocabulary I must also remember to fill my mind with whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. If I don’t think about such things I’m leaving an opening on the frontline of the battlefield of my mind.