Let’s face it, meditation has gotten a bad rap in the Christian community. When we think about meditation, we think about various Eastern religions, maybe blockbuster movies like Doctor Strange, or unplugged Northern California Yoga retreats.
The truth is that this aversion to meditation might have hurt our thought life over the years. As the Christian church has moved away, far away from anything that might resemble “meditation”, we have forgotten how important it is as well as how to do it!
Why Should I Meditate?
Be still, and know that I am God.
The Psalmist tells us the most important principle to start: be still and know. While other meditative practices may focus on knowing other things, Christian meditation focuses on knowing God. As Psalm 46:10 goes on to say, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
As we know God and who He is, He is not only exalted among nations, not only exalted in the earth, but He is exalted in our minds. The first and most important step of Christian meditation is this, exalting God in our own minds. Bringing Christ into our minds as a daily exercise will change our life from the inside out, starting in our minds.
Why Meditation Heals
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 4 people experience mental health disorders in their lifetime. This is not an isolated problem, but a global one. Christians are not exempt. In fact, according to a study by Lifeway Research, it’s not only congregants that struggle with mental health, but pastors as well!
While not all mental health problems have a cure, many can be helped by learning to use the mind properly.
Meditation, Christian, and otherwise has science-based benefits that are worth experiencing! Meditation reduces stress, controls anxiety, promotes emotional health, enhances self-awareness, lengthens attention span, may reduce age-related memory loss, can generate kindness, may help fight addiction, improves sleep, helps to control pain, and can decrease blood pressure. Let’s face it, our health is a wreck and this is reason enough.
Don’t You Know Your Body is a Temple?
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Christians need to take control of their minds now. All the fad diets and lifestyle resolutions will make no difference, but gaining control of the mind will dial-in success for all of your ventures! If you’re unhappy with your body, get your mind right. If you’re unhappy with your job, get your mind right. If you’re unhappy with your relationship, get your mind right.
If you’re among the margin of Christians who is unhappy and unsatisfied with your church, your own lifestyle, or your relationship with God, get your head on straight.
Your relationship with yourself will improve, your relationship with your family will improve, your relationship with your church will improve, and (you guessed it!) your relationship with Sabbath will improve too!
Why? Why Not!?
We’re talking about Sabbath, right? We’re talking about a day that may have so many expectations placed on it that it’s impossible for you to enjoy. We’re talking about getting our head right, right?
If your Sabbath is not as restful and as peaceful and you hope, you’re in luck.
If your Sabbath isn’t as amazing as your best memory, there is hope!
Why should you transform your thought life? Why not!?
Now is the time to find how the bible can change your thought life, and how changing your thought life can change your life!
My friend Sarah taught me about changing my thought life with the Bible. She is just a friend that published a book called Transforming Your Thought Life. In support, I bought it (and had it signed, of course), but I didn’t hope to gain all that I did.
If you’re unsatisfied with anything in your life, aligning your thoughts with scripture is the first and only solution to reach for.
Happy mind, happy Sabbath 🙂
