Experts believe the average human mind thinks between 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. That is a lot of mind meditation. About 2100 thoughts per hour to be exact.
The amazing thing about our mind is that although we think 80,000 thoughts a day, we can’t read each other’s minds. In the midst of a boring business meeting, I could be thinking about laying on the beach while eating an ice cream cone – and no one would ever know it.
Our thoughts are one of the few things we can choose to share, or not share with the world.
Our thoughts may be secret, but God knows every thought we have.
If you are like me, your mind has a thousand different things to think about. Maybe your mediations include your hopes and dreams. Perhaps the mediations of your heart concern close friends and family members. Many of us have unspoken prayers that we are secretly hoping for God to answer.
Mediation is the act of pondering, thinking, or reflecting. To meditate is to mentally concentrate on a topic. In fact, God is such a big fan of mediation that He tells us if we meditate on His Word day and night, we will gain success (Joshua 1:8).
Many misinformed Christians associate the word meditation with yoga and worldly practices. However, meditation did not begin in a yoga studio. People have had meditated since the beginning of time. Unlike the world, when Christians meditate, we are not trying to connect with our “inner-self”.
We meditate to put our focus onto our Heavenly Father.
The secret places of your heart include the private things that only you and God know about.
Because we have so many thoughts, we must constantly moniter what we are meditating on. With television, internet, and social media playing such a big role in our lives, it is easy for the enemy to come in and derail our thoughts.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Of all the thoughts you had today, how many of them were pleasing and acceptable to God?
One way to ensure your heart meditations stay pure is to guard your mind. Our thoughts influence our actions – and if left unchecked – can cause us to make some bad decisions.
If it will cause you to sin or act out of character, don’t think about it.
- If you are trying to get rid of a bad habit, don’t hang around people who indulge in the thing you are trying to quit.
- If you want to save money, don’t think about going on a spontaneous shopping spree.
- If you are trying to remain celibate, don’t watch sexy movies.
- If you start a new diet, don’t think about your favorite desserts.
Your thoughts lead to actions.
In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us to meditate on good things. By keeping your thoughts pure, your actions will follow.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phillippians 4:8
As we prepare our hearts for 2019, let’s remember to focus our thoughts on good things.
Grab your bible, and read the scriptures for yourself to complete today’s Scripture Reading Challenge. What are your thoughts on today’s passage? Share with us in the comments below or head on over to our Facebook page to join the conversation!
