Guest blogger: Lynelle Watford
If only we had our own house. The refrain repeated itself over and over. After fifteen years of renting, I wanted our own home. I allowed my mind to create big doses of discontentment and somehow believed my life would be perfect, if only . . . .
“If only . . .” If only I were (whatever). If only (such and such) were different. If only I didn’t have (this). If only.
Sixteen years into our marriage we finally bought our first home. It was exciting. But home ownership didn’t make my life perfect.
My mind naturally gravitates to complaints and comparison, resulting in discontentment. Maybe if I were a naturally optimistic person, I could control my thoughts. But I know I need help. I need God’s Word to saturate my mind with truth, to mull over scripture during my waking hours. Contentment is a precious jewel, mined from perspective—the perspective of God’s Word.
A few months ago, I intentionally began meditating (reflecting) more on scripture. In the past, I had primarily concentrated on God’s Word at night as I went to sleep. Recently I decided to meditate as much as possible as I went about my day. In the process, something wonderful happened. Contentment and gratitude started growing.
Yes, the ‘if onlys’ try to worm their way into my thoughts, but now I know the anecdote. Focusing on scripture reminds me of the value of the unseen and the shallowness of the seen. Thoughts centered on scripture always glow with the jewel of contentment.
Lyn has a newly released book, also available as an eBook.
SOUL PURSUIT: The Busy Person’s Guide to Biblical Meditation. It includes a 30-day Bible Study on meditation. You can read a sample chapter at her website http://www.foreverwaters.com
Share with us your experiences of the benefits of biblical meditation.
Here is a description of Lynelle’s book, SOUL PURSUIT: We crave inner peace. We long for comfort, strength, and wisdom. The path we seek is not paved with our own thoughts, but God’s truth found in the Bible. Discover life change by intentionally exchanging your thoughts for God’s thoughts. Read how focusing on scripture throughout your waking hours, even with a busy lifestyle, can change your life. Let the numerous stories and anecdotes that fill the book encourage you to keep God’s Word uppermost on your mind. Learn how to integrate biblical meditation into your daily activities. Allow scripture, pondered and mulled over, to enrich your relationship with God.
Thank you Lynelle for the reminder that “Focusing on scripture reminds me of the value of the unseen and the shallowness of the seen.” How true! yet how difficult in this world that constantly tries to pull us away from God. Scripture memory has kept me grounded in God’s word because I have it with me all the time and I have a focus each day.
Great reminder: “Contentment is a precious jewel, mined from perspective—the perspective of God’s Word.” Thank you for shining a light on this fact.
Her name looks like mine without crossing the t’s!
When my attitude is wrong, nothing straightens it out like Titus! Or some Haggai! I am still learning so much from the scripture I have memorized.
Biblical meditation through memorisation has delivered me from many wrong thoughts, wrong actions and wrong pursuits. Through consuming the word of God I find true freedom. My wife wondered what I was saying when she looked through the window and I appeared to be talking to myself this afternoon while sweeping leaves outside. Needless to say, I was reviewing my memory verses. “On his law he meditates day and night”.
Thomas, thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I can identify with your words. No matter how many years we walk with God we still need his Word as much as ever. Its our alternative to wrong thoughts that lead to wrong actions. What an incredible gift God has given us in his word.