Sometimes the thoughts I meditate on take me down faster than the actual challenges I face. Car trouble sends my mind racing to thoughts of “Woe is me; my life is so stressful.” My daughter leaves after Christmas, and before I know it minor post-holiday blues change into a narrative of “Woe is me; my nest is empty.”
We meditate more often than we realize, but on the wrong things.
As if rising Corona Virus numbers and sharp political and social divides in our nation weren’t enough, you probably have your own personal set of challenges to think about. God calls us to be people of faith and hope, but I find it easy to feel anxious and worried instead.
How are peace, hope, and joy even possible?
Scripture challenges us: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), but this can only happen when we replace our stinking thinking with truth from God’s Word. Sometimes we need to choose to turn away from our own worried, anxious thoughts and focus on truth from the Word of God instead.
In God’s Word, we encounter God’s character, His ways, and His promises. We discover His love and faithfulness. Through His Word, we experience His presence and hear His voice. As our minds abide in God’s Word, He renews our thoughts.
Why Meditate on Scripture?
Reading the Bible is a good first step to experiencing renewed thinking, but pondering on its truths and putting it into practice unlock its power in our lives.
We meditate on Scripture to get God’s perspective.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
Meditating on Scripture gives us a renewed perspective on our lives and circumstances. It helps us set our minds on the things of God. We remember that even in the challenges we’re facing right now, God has a higher plan we cannot see. We can trust Him.
We meditate on Scripture to align our hearts with God’s purposes.
“…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose…” (Isaiah 55:11)
Isaiah 55 reminds us God’s Word never fails to bear fruit and will always accomplish His plans. As we meditate on Scripture, we’re aligning our hearts with God’s purposes. As we take put God’s Word into practice, it bears fruit in our lives.
We remember our Lord’s purposes go far beyond our own plans for a comfortable life where we get everything we want easily and quickly.
How to Meditate on Scripture
Meditation isn’t rocket science. It means to think about or reflect on something. As we engage in Biblical meditation, we reflect on truths from Scripture and what they mean for our lives. We interact with God in prayer through His Word. These tips will help you get started.
Choose a short Bible passage you’d like to apply to your life. You might start with Psalm 23, Psalm 100, John 15:4-9, or Isaiah 55:8-11.
Read it through several times and reflect.
- How does it encourage or challenge you?
- How could you live it out or practice it today?
To continue your meditation, try one or more of the following:
1. Read it out loud.
2. Highlight it in your Bible. (You can find my color code system here.)
4. Take a paper and pen; copy the passage slowly and thoughtfully.
5. Print it out and mark it up: underline, circle, or box words that impact you.
6. Memorize it.
7. Read it in the morning, to start off your day.
8. Read it before bed, so it’s the last thing you think about.
As we meditate on the Bible, inner transformation takes place. We focus on God’s faithfulness instead of our fears. We experience more peace and hope when we turn from worry and choose trust. We won’t change overnight, but we can take small steps of progress today.
Now it’s your turn: What helps you win the battle against negative thinking? Leave a comment to tell me about it.
Need ideas on how to get more out of your quiet time? I wrote More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times to help overwhelmed and distracted women recover a fresh sense of God’s presence, learn to hear His voice, and grow their prayer lives. Click on the image below for more info:
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Great study on Biblical meditations
Thank you, Judy.
Love your thoughts on meditation, we really do aline our hearts with God when we focus on His Word! My challenge is to refocus on it throughout the day when life chips away at the peace and union I started the day with.
I can so relate to what you are saying about holding on to peace with God throughout the day, Cindy! It’s easy for me to let what God whispered to me in my Quiet Time go out the window. We are growing!
Thank you for this beautiful write up. I have been trying for years to meditate and memorize Scripture and really struggled. I will put your suggestions in practice.
To help me stop worrying, I also affirm my thoughts on the plans God has for my life and how I can come to Him when I am weary and overburdened.
Thanks for your encouragement, Cecilia. May you discover new things about your Heavenly Father as you meditate on Him and His fiathfulness!
I love how you point out that meditating on God’s Word gives us His perspective. When I am grounded in God’s perspective and presence, my priorities shift in alignment with His priorities. I need this. Every day!
Thank you, Ginger. I need it every day as well. Blessings, friend.
Dear Betsy,
Thank for your daily inspirations of god. I’m want to learn how to follow the Bible and be one an inspiration for other women as well, I’ve had many struggles and have overcome them with god. Each day I peel off layers of the past and it allows me to forgive myself for placing my children in the wrong home setting. They are now adults and I owe them the teachings of gods wonderful plan for each of us. Thank you
How encouraging to hear from you, Sarah! It sounds like your life is a true testimony of God’s power to redeem. May He continue to bless you greatly as you seek to reflect His love to your adult children.