Meditation For Christians- How-to Meditate With Jesus

Over the last few years, there has been a surge of spiritual influencer gurus taking a lead in guiding their followers to so called “enlightenment.” This surge has come as practices like yoga, reiki, tarot card reading, and more, have made it to the mainstream culture throughout the west. Among the practice that has made been intertwined into these new ages’ practices, is meditation. If you’re someone that made it out of the new age, and into Gods path, you might instantly feel that you want to stay clear of this.

However, there is a type of meditation for Christians that- believe it or not- is biblical.

Post Overview:

1. What is meditation from a general perspective
2. What does the bible say about meditation
3. how to meditate as a Christian while putting Jesus at the center
4. Choosing a room or a place
5. Choosing scripture- some of the benefits like helping with sleep, anxiety, fear, insecurities, and so much more.

What is Meditation?

Before we dig into meditation for Christians and how it relates back to Gods word, we think that it is important to first define meditation from a broad view. 

Meditation can be defined as a state of focusing in on the mind to reach a state of calm or overall mental stability. Sometimes this can mean focusing in on specific thoughts, feelings, or ideas to gain clarity on the specific area of one’s life. Reaching this point of mental clearness can be achieved through many forms, including physical and spiritual.

It has been long known that physical activities can help a person clear their mind and reach a relaxing meditative state. Activities like, running, hiking, longboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and even surfing, have been known to relax a person’s state and help them meditate in the moment. In general, meditation comes with many positive effects that are able to help a person look beyond any dilemma, problem, or challenge.

What does the bible say about Meditation?

As we mentioned before, in the most recent years, the term and act of ‘meditation’ has been strongly associated with new age spiritual practices that are making a huge surge in mainstream culture. While many people find that there are benefits to them making this a part of their overall wellbeing, as Christians our faith is routed in something different.

While meditating may seem to have its positive benefits (and a lot of times it does) what is important is to distinguish how new agers approach meditation vs. what the bible says about meditation. As believers and followers of Christ, it is important to always pay attention to what the word says, because we know that all of scripture is rooted in truth and in Gods ultimate will for our life.

One of the first versus that we recall seeing the word mediation is in the book of Psalms.

“
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

So, we see that in this verse, there is clearly a standard of pleasing meditation to the Lord. David desires for his heart to be set in a position where he is meditating on things that are pleasing to the lord.

Later, we see in Psalm chapter 119 exactly what types of meditation are pleasing to the Lord.

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day”

Psalm 119:97

The law of God, his word, and his commandments are the source of where are meditation should be focused on. Later in that same chapter it also says.

“I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”

Psalm 119:99

Not only Gods law is a fruitful word that we can meditate in but also testimonies. The move of God through our lives and the lives of others, are a source that we can lean on to strengthen our faith and stay grounded in his firm foundation. There truly is a place for Meditation and Christianity to exist. And meditating with Jesus is the most important thing we can do as believers.

The Difference of how non-believers may approach meditation.

As a follower of Jesus, the way that we approach meditation is all rooted in God and his perfect will for our lives. When we focus on his word and in his testimonies- which glorify him and honor him, we are able to walk in holiness because we can recognize and live out his truth on a day-to-day walk. We naturally start to remove our desires and our wicked ways, and instead we place God at the center of our being.

On the contrary, the mainstream culture focuses on the oneself. Meditation looks different for a non-believer because they typically want to meditate on something that is being approached as a “manifestation” or as desire to accomplish something or achieve something. Usually this can look like, meditating for success like getting a new job, or just meditating for enlightenment.

Although these are not necessarily bad things, the issue is that these things and these desires are placed as an idol in a person’s life. Achieving these professional goals or obtaining a material thing, becomes that center part of person’s identity and full purpose. Meditation becomes a means to a superficial end, and many times when this is not rooted in God, it can become into a cycle with no end to a means.

Non-believers use meditation as a way to connect to their own desires while followers of Jesus use meditation to focus on Gods will which in turn bring us closer to our identify in Christ.

The fruit of Meditating on God’s Word

Many times, it is easy to come to God with a fixed idea of what we want and what we desire. We have all found ourselves going to God with a need or want, and we expect him to make it happen for us. We already come with our fixed plan, and we just want him to use his power and might, to help us achieve our plans.

However, when we come to God with open hearts and faith, he will give us exactly what we need- which is sometimes something completely different than what we thought we needed or wanted.

“⁸ Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:9

God tells us in his word, that we do not need to spend so much time asking him for our needs, because he does know what we need even before we come to him with our needs. God knows it all.

Instead, meditation for Christians, is a way for us to focus back on his truth and his promises for us.

Here are some versus/ promises where we that we can mediate in and really store them in our hearts.

1.  GOD Will Never Leave You – You are NOT alone
   Meditate on this scripture:
   “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1: 5
2. God Loves you- SO SO Much
   Meditate on this scripture:
   “For God so loved the world that he have his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have everlasting life” John 3:16
3. God Will Protect you- You can find rest under your protection
   Meditate on this scripture:
   “whoever dwells in the shelter of the highest will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; hi faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” Psalm 91
4. The Lord will give you rest
   Mediate on this scripture:  
   “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
5. Find peace- Meditation to help with anxiety
   Mediate on this scripture:
   “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
   “therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
6. When you are feeling discouraged- and Need HOPE
   Mediate on this scripture:
   “have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9
7. When you do not know what direction to Go in your life
   Meditate on this scripture:
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5

Meditation as a Christian

The more and more you store these scriptures and are able to meditate in God’s word, you will see how your life will slowly start to change and how you will be able to lean on God and his promises. Your life in God’s hands is the best possible outcome, and the more that you learn what his perfect will is, you will be able to trust in his power.

Will you start to mediate in God’s word?

The great thing about meditating in God’s word, is that you really are able to do in any situation or any time of the day. You can start to memorize the versus and when you are in a situation when you need to feel encouragement, you can start mentally reciting the word of God. These key versus are the perfect place to get started in knowing Gods truth for your life.