A day can begin in the usual way with the promise of sunshine and glowing achievements. But as the day progresses, clouds may gather. Billowing higher and higher, growing darker and darker, until they completely overshadowed the morning’s beauty and potential.
The confluence of negative thought patterns fueled by anxiety can work to create a perfect storm in your mind.
But don’t abandon ship just yet! According to an article by Rodgers Christian Counseling, “Neuroscience has uncovered an incredible truth: the brain is not fixed. Through neuroplasticity, our brain continually forms new neural connections based on our thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. This means we can unlearn unhealthy patterns and replace them with healthier, faith-based ones.”
Meditation has been around for a long time, and there are a lot of methods and variations. The main pillars of meditation are based on focusing our attention and relaxing our body with deep breathing. Some types of meditation use mental imagery, music, repeating a calming word, prayer, or just being present in breathing.
Meditation as described in the Bible has its focus on, no surprise here, God! The Bible encourages us to read and meditate on the Book of the Law, or God’s Word, and all the promises and wisdom it holds.
“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
“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Psalm 143:5
Let’s pair this concept with what we learned about the act of handwriting. An article by Katie McCoy says, “Writing increases neural activity much like meditation. If you want to practice meditating on Scripture, writing it may help reinforce your recollection. God created our brains to retain what we write. Perhaps that’s why the Lord commanded every Israelite king to write out his own copy of Deuteronomy.”
The day after I read McCoy’s article, Grant from Writing for Eternity sent me this information: “While reading the Old Testament about the kings that came after Solomon (son of King David), scripture reminded me that Deuteronomy 17:18-20 commanded rulers to handwrite their copies of the Book of the Law and read daily. Failing to do as commanded by God meant the kings were ignorant of the Book of the Law and led astray by the cultures and false gods around them.”
“When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.” Deuteronomy 17:18-19
I recommend creating a Bible journal. Handwrite whatever verses speak to your heart, calm your mind, and replenish your soul. When you sit down to meditate, rewrite these verses as your point of focus. Keep rewriting them and after a time, God’s powerful words become embedded in your mind, changing your negative thought patterns into anxiety-busting positive beliefs.
Before the storm clouds gather, take time daily to practice meditative writing and fill yourself with the life-giving words of God!
Cruise over to the Mindful Caravan and visit Wise Words. There you will find a slideshow of prompts to jump-start your Meditative Writing practice.
🌤️ Remember: Featured links are to a page. Often, but not always, I place new features at the top. You might need to take a little scroll to find the features mentioned here. Enjoy the journey; you may just discover the perfect rewiring your anxious mind needs! 💨
My Happy Music for the week: “Windy” by The Association, 1967
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8
“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.” Psalm 1:2
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