I’ve heard it said that if you can worry, you can meditate! I think we can all confess to having worried a time or two, so we are all good candidates for practicing meditation.

It’s easy to see that there is a very close tie between these two processes … worry suggests repeatedly returning to a thought and so does meditation. The difference in the two, and the advantage meditation has over worry, is the focus of the repetitive thinking.

What’s Your Focus?

Worry always has as its focus something negative, and it quickly distracts us away form God’s purposes and His provisions. Worry is a consuming and destructive habit of focusing on things that are not real yet … on outcomes that could possibly be avoided, if our thoughts were busy seeking wisdom.

Meditation, as it is taught in the Bible, has as its focus the very thing that will give us understanding and insight, and make us wiser than anything that tries to overcome us. This kind of healthy meditation is directly opposed to today’s popular style of meditation which directs us to empty our mind, and become more self aware. A greater focus on self is NOT what’s needed in today’s society, which is already overflowing with selfishness and greed!

The Focus of Healthy Meditation

Proper meditation will cause us to prosper and succeed, and it will add joy to our life. So what is the focus of healthy meditation … the kind that will make us joyful and successful? The Bible answers this question very specifically. We are to think on these things repeatedly:

• God’s Word - His instructions and laws.
• God’s Ways - The safe path He has marked off for us.
• God’s Works - His wonderful miracles and awe-inspiring deeds.
• God’s Glorious Splendor - His majestic reputation and demeanor.
• Things that are true and real.
• Things that are honorable and honest.
• Things that are right and just.
• Things that are pure and innocent.
• Things that are lovely and acceptable.
• Things that are admirable and reputable.
• Things that are things excellent and moral.
• Things that are worthy of praise.

These are the things the Bible instructs us to meditate on … things that will make us wise, and joyful, and successful. Did you noticed how ’self’ wasn’t on that list? The popular meditation of today has it so wrong! Focusing on self is WORRY, not meditation!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it is given so that we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Reading His Word, meditating on it, and discussing it with others is a powerful tool in the life of a believer. It reinforces our own relationship with the Lord, it encourages others in their relationship with the Lord, and Scripture tell us it pleases the Father SO MUCH that when He hears us loving Him and talking to each other about Him, He has our names recorded in a book of remembrance. How special is that!

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name. (Malachi 3:16 NLT)

I was SO thrilled when I researched the benefits of godly meditation. There are many more verses that reveal God’s desire to bless us when we make Him the focus of our thoughtful pondering. Here are just a few of the passages that blessed me. May they bless you as well.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9 NLT)

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. (Psalms 119:1-3 NLT)

Oh, how I love Your instructions! I think about them all day long [meditate]. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept Your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to Your word. (Psalms 119:97-101 NLT)

Keeping it real,