Essential and Purposeful Meditation

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version)

There are times when troubling thoughts, persistent regrets, and memories of failure can be what we continuously mull over in our mind. They become the fodder upon which our mind feeds. This is the epitome of meditation whereby we keep something front and center in our thoughts. Our thoughts feed our actions, attitudes, and words so it is imperative that we follow the pattern set out for us in Philippians 4:8. I know that and yet God is helping me to see an aspect I have missed. What I am thinking on must not only fit the criteria of being true, it must also be noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. If it doesn’t fit the entire mold it shouldn’t be the thing I dwell on day in and day out. In essence, God is saying, “There are many things you can think on and you must choose the right ones.” My thoughts, just like my words, need to be such that they encourage, enlighten, and energize me. What I would not allow to come out of my mouth I must not allow to be dominate in my mind.

I have often made the mistake of thinking if something is true than I can’t help but think about it. It has been a recipe for disaster! Two examples of dangerous meditation for me have been regret over becoming emotionally dependent on a person and experiencing that person’s change of heart toward me. No tool of the enemy is more effective to bring me down than those two reminders. Both are true but God wants me to know they don’t meet the standards of today’s verse and therefore should not be what I focus on. They are opposite of what He spells out in His Word. Their effect brings death rather than life to my emotions, feelings, and moods.

Is it easy to change my thoughts? Not always. At the beginning, it takes a lot of hard work and continual decisions to choose what is right. So what should I think on? Scripture passages, present things that bring me joy, songs that are meaningful to me, the ways God has worked in my life, prayer requests and praises….the list is quite long. The bottom line is this: I can continue to touch the wounds that hurt or I can fill my mind with other things and eventually see the wounds healed.

Father, I am weary of my thought patterns. I want to move beyond the things that torment and torture me. Help me to think on the things that are beneficial and life giving. Amen.

You are Mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5ORb96vmQ&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.