Just Breathe

“On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”
Psalm 145:5

Recently, I heard someone talking about the physical benefits of relieving stress and anxiety by slowing and calming the mind through meditation. Aware that we are living in stressful times, it’s a blessing that the Bible teaches us to meditate. Are we doing it? Are we doing it as He teaches us?

Emptying your mind or meditating on just anything can be spiritually dangerous. Meditating as God teaches is vital to victorious living. Relaxation techniques often focus on breathing. That’s a great place to start as God is the One who breathes life into us, and holds our breath in His hand. Meditate on God Himself, His Word, His works, His ways, those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, things of virtue, and things praiseworthy. Psalm 1:1-2 reveals the ways of a blessed life,

“Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night."

Our wiggle worm selves often prefer constant moving and doing, even in our worship services.  Anything but being still. Yet it’s in the stillness that we know He is God. Let’s breathe in His Word and practice mediating on the wonder of Him.

(See Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 4:4; Psalm 46:10, Psalm 63:6; Psalm 77:12; Psalm 119:15; 23, 27, 48, 78, 148; Psalm 143:5; Daniel 5:23; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:15.)