Christian Meditation. Does that sound like an oxymoron to you? I’ll show you why it’s not. Even though you may connect the word “meditation” with eastern mysticism and New Age practices, in its proper form, it’s actually something that is God-approved.
In this series of posts on health, we’re exploring five tools God has given us to use to affect healing in our lives. Last week, we looked at communion.
Here are 5 of His tools that can bring restoration to our health:
- His Word (The Bible)
- Communion
- Meditation
- Scriptural Affirmations
- Praying in Tongues
Today, we’ll focus on Meditation.
Meditation
You may be surprised that meditation is actually something God has called His people to do. During the time of the Hebrew’s Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, Moses died. Joshua was to become the new leader of the people. God called Joshua aside for a little pep talk. He told him that he was strong and courageous. He told Joshua that He would equip him for the task ahead of him as leader of God’s people. The way that Joshua would get equipped would be through meditation:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” ~Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
This passage gives us great insight into what biblical meditation is. It is a means of focusing your thoughts on the goodness of God by using His Word. It is different from Transcendental Meditation or any other type of meditation. In the original language, the word for meditate is “hagah”. It means to ruminate, to speak (utter sound), to imagine, to speak with oneself (muttering) in a low voice (whisper). It is not simply reading the Word, thinking about it for a brief moment then quickly forgetting it. Biblical meditation is not about emptying your mind. It involves using your voice to affirm God’s Word for your life. It is an action you take repeatedly throughout the day. In this verse, God is instructing Joshua about how to succeed as the new leader of Israel. But we can also glean from this scripture about how to be successful in life today, especially as we look forward to the new year.
Notice that God didn’t tell Joshua to say anything and everything that came to his mind. He instructed him to meditate on the Book of the Law. God wanted Joshua to read, think about, and mutter God’s words! He wanted Joshua ruminate about the goodness of God and about His love for the people of Israel.
God-Approved Meditation in 2016
So how do we take advantage of this tool and use it to improve our health? By reading healing Scripture aloud, speaking it as an affirmation, and thinking about it repeatedly throughout the day and before going to bed at night. You can break down one sentence at a time, concentrating on one word at time.
For instance, Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” One way of meditating on this could mean that you say it many more times placing emphasis on a different word each time and giving it some thought. Here’s an example of emphasizing a word and a possible related thought:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [He’s the One Who never changes.]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [Presently, definitely, without question.]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [I have a personal relationship with Him.]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [He tends to me, cares for me, and is always with me.]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [This is about me–it’s personal!]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [This is definite. something I can count on.]
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [Lack is not His way. I don’t have a need He won’t meet.]
Use this process employing scriptures that specifically relate to improved health.
Peace of Mind
Meditation can help you adjust your mindset. It can keep you going even when the going gets tough. It can be an important aid along your path to success in life.
This process will bring great peace of mind as promised in Isaiah 26:3—God will keep in perfect peace all whose thoughts are fixed on Him.
“Focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.” ~Philippians 4:8 (CJB)
Meditation of God’s Word is a means of focusing your thoughts on the goodness of God by using HIS words. It is a way of being dependent on God and He will view that as an expression of trusting Him.
Give it a try. Be sure to let me know what your results are!
Thanks for sharing, this is really a blessing to hear.
Trish, I’m so glad to share this series with you. Are you taking action on the things that resonates with you?