"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
As human beings, we naturally practice meditation on a daily basis, whether we know it or not. If we have the ability to think, we have the ability to meditate on those very thoughts. Yet, we are so easily deceived into believing that it is possible to ruminate on negativity but impossible to do the same with positivity. Not only is this a lie that society has bought into, but it is a habit that we now consider the norm. It is not from the God who tells us to "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." -2 Corinthians 10:5
“If you can meditate on worry, you know how to meditate.”
If we can meditate on the lies of the enemy (worry, doubt, hopelessness) we can meditate on the truths of God's Word (peace, joy, comfort). It is these habits that we form day after day that shape our perspective on life. When we take those negative routines that we have established and cover them with positivity, we begin to live the life that God has prepared for those whom He loves.
It's a Fight
Filling one's mind with godly counsel after a lifetime of thinking contrary is not an easy task. It requires constant communication with oneself, internalizing rational thinking rather than irrational fears. God's Word tells us plainly and simply to "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." -1 Peter 5:8
As Christians, we are constantly battling against the enemy, and he is going to do whatever he possibly can to hinder us from accomplishing the Lord's plans for our lives. However, when we know scripture by heart, we can replace every negative thought that slips in, with a positive truth. In order to know, we must seek God and study what He has to say to us. The Bible wasn't just written as a mere historical record, but as a life manual in order to help us live the best life that we can possibly live.
*When that anxiety attempts to keep us from living in joy, we can remember that: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." -1 John 4:18
*When the day seems dreary, we can remember that: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--" -1 Corinthians 2:9
*When we seem to be the only ones following Jesus in this twisted world, we can remind ourselves that we are on the narrow path: "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." -Matthew 7:13
*When life seems void of hope, never forget the verse: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jeremiah 29:11
There are a limitless amount of truths in God's Word: How can we incorporate them into the way we talk to ourselves daily, and consequently watch our quality of life be transformed?
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