Why is meditating on the Bible the best? Aren’t there other ways to meditate and bring wholeness to our souls?
We will be looking at the difference between mindfulness meditation and meditating on the Bible to see which way is best or if they are both beneficial.
Why would how we meditate matter?
That is such a good question that many of you are asking. I have also been asking this and want to be extremely careful to meditate in a way that is aligned with Jesus Christ, my Savior.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
I don’t have all the answers so I will only share what I have learned and experienced.
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
Have you heard the word ‘mindful’ being used more often? It’s a word frequently connected with one of the methods of meditation.
These are six popular ways to practice meditating:
Mindfulness meditation
Spiritual meditation
Focused meditation
Movement meditation
Mantra meditation
Transcendental meditation
If you Google it, you will come up with many articles and even phone apps about meditation.
According to one of the most prominent apps, Mindfulness Meditation is a “Step on your journey towards a healthier and happier life.” This particular method is under the guidance of a former monk.
Some of the benefits people seek through meditation are:
Lower blood pressure
Reduce anxiety
Decrease pain
Ease symptoms of depression
Improve focus
Improve sleep
Kinder to yourself
The practice of meditation is rooted in ancient history and is a hot topic of modern science. I read about a study in The Harvard Gazette that discovered evidence of it altering connections of the brain.
If meditating is going to relieve stress and rewire the brain to increase relaxation and thought patterns, I can understand why so many Christians are drawn to it.
That is why it is so important to know the difference between both types of meditation.
You might be super busy. Researching which method of meditation you will use is time-consuming and not an option. That is why I am making this available to you.
From my experience and what I have read, mindfulness meditation has to do with learning to relax and be aware of stress in the body. Who doesn’t want less stress and anxiety?!
It is done by learning to notice what you are feeling inside the body. The purpose as far as my limited understanding is to relax the body and slow all the thoughts rushing through your mind.
An individual may do this by sitting or gentle movement while becoming aware of their breathing.
I have to say, whether you are coming from a Christian standpoint or not, that most of us want to learn to relax and slow our anxious thoughts.
If you are a Christian, it is important to know the difference between mindfulness meditation and Bible meditation.
Meditating to Rest from Anxiety
Mindfulness meditation empties your mind to bring a state of relaxation and peace. Too often we deal with anxiety and God yearns to give rest to your anxious soul.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
As a Christian, there often is a better way to practice something.
To meditate properly our soul needs to reflect on Bible verses that fill our minds with the truths that our hearts ingested. Doing this causes our hearts to rejoice over what our soul grasped.
When you truly engage in Bible meditation, you slowly read while prayerfully and humbly taking in the Words that God has revealed to you that day. This is the main reason why I love creative Bible journaling because it causes me to do these things.
All of this is done through conscious dependence on the eternal energizing work of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Meditation is being attentive to God by renewing the mind so it transforms the soul and spirit.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
What opened my eyes to the difference between mindfulness meditation and Bible meditation is that we are to fill our minds and not empty them.
Meditating on the Bible
I grew up in Asia and was around people who believed in the gods of the eastern religions. I know firsthand what the Israelites should have steered clear of when they lived in Egypt and even when they were in the wilderness.
One thing I know for sure is that I will put no other god before my God (Exodus 20:3-4). I don’t want to become like the Israelites and allow anything to slip into my life that would be displeasing to God.
So if clearing out the stress and tension in our bodies can be done in a better way, that’s what I want.
Meditating on the Bible is the way I choose to fill my mind with God and His truth.
I have no judgment towards you if you practice mindfulness meditation. I would be interested in your thoughts. We are too quick to judge another before looking at ourselves and where we are off-track.
Judith lives in the beautiful Pocono Mountains with the most amazing husband for the past 45 fleeting years. She has been blessed with seven wonderful children through birth, adoption, and tubal reversal. When her oldest was five, she quit her job on the night shift and homeschooled for over 25 years. God has taken the imperfections of her life and keeps turning them into something that can be used for His glory. She writes in her spare time over at His Unmeasured Grace to inspire and equip women for grace-filled living.
