“Headspace–The unfilled space left above the contents in a sealed container. A person’s state of mind or mindset. Time to think clearly or to be free from mental pressures.” (Dictionary.com)
We’ve all come to expect that when we open a bag of chips 2/3 of the bag is air. That air is called headspace. The air at the top of a carton of milk, the space between the bottle cap and the soft drink, the gap between the cover and pickles in a jar, all of these things are called headspace. In the case of the bag of chips, we’re told that this space occurs as the product settles after being put into the bag. All of the other cases, I presume, are to prevent spillage when the product is opened.
The second and third definitions above, state of mind and time to think clearly, are at the heart of this post. When someone is suffering from depression, or the stressors in life have piled up on one another causing mental panic, it is said that person is in a bad headspace. I’m certain that at some point everyone has been in this place. It is typically a place of fear and confusion; bad headspace is the devil’s playground. You see, he thrives on fear and confusion; if he can get you focused on anything other than God, particularly something that sets you in a dither, then he has succeeded. And the longer he can keep you in a bad headspace, the closer he is to getting you to turn your back on God.
But just as there is a bad headspace, there is also a good headspace. When you have peace in your heart and you live in a state of trust in the Lord, you are in a good headspace. When you live, like the apostle Paul, in a state of contentment, you are in a good headspace. “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV). Contentment is headspace!
The Lord desires for us to live our lives in a state of trust in Him. He made the ultimate trade, getting the raw end of the deal, when He exchanged our sin for His righteousness. He told us to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (headspace!)” (Matthew 11:29 ESV parenthetical mine).
Take some time this weekend to examine your life. Do you have headspace, or are you stressed? Do you have peace of mind, or is there confusion? How can you turn things around so that you can have headspace? If you learn to focus on your spiritual well-being, putting your complete trust in God, you will find that place of contentment (headspace) that Paul talked about.
Blessings on our weekend!
Skipping Stones 