Happy weekend, gals! I hope you have plans either to do something fun, restful or productive today. Pick your passion! We’ll be plunging full speed ahead into unpacking and setting up house again. My goal is to have at least a few things on the walls and all the boxes in the basement by evening. But first, let’s you and me talk about why and how I meditate on Scripture…and why you might want to, too.
Back in my teens and college days I was taught to steer clear of anything related to meditation. Anybody who meditated was surely into some kind of mystical or new age philosophy. And if I participated in meditation I might invite ungodly things into my life.
Besides being a little extreme, that was just bad advice. The truth is meditation itself is not a harmful or wicked practice, but instead it is actually a biblical and even natural exercise. Meditation is a biblical command with practical ramifications.
What Meditation Is & Does
Did you know that we all meditate? Do you ever worry about anything? Sure you do. We all do. Worry is meditation. When we worry we fixate on one thing, work our minds around it, chew on it and think it all the way through. Worry is just bad meditation. And we’re all naturally pros at it!
But God instructs His people – those who believe, trust and follow Him – to meditate on truth. (Joshua 1:8) Instead of worrying (Philippians 4:6) God encourages us to fixate on Him – His Word, His character and His ways (Isaiah 26:3). And when we meditate on those things, amazing things happen.
- our character is changed from the inside out
- peace grows and anxiety diminishes
- our faith is strengthened
- our obedience to the Bible is fortified
- our perspective improves
- we become satisfied women instead of desperate, hungry gals
- we gain courage
- truth is planted deep within us
- ultimately, we worry less!
I can’t begin to tell you the difference that biblical meditation has made in my life. This one biblical practice has changed me more than any other. Meditating daily on Scripture has made me a less demanding wife, a more confident mother, a healthier friend, a wiser confidant, a more patient woman and a more gracious human being. It’s helped me to forgive, let go, accept, move forward, be brave and submit to authority, too.
So how do you meditate biblically?
Well, here’s what I do that works for me. I needed a tangible and practical way to practice this spiritual discipline. And this is what I came up with about a dozen years ago.
- Each January I get a new inexpensive 4×6 photo album from Walmart. I beautify it by swapping out the tacky cardstock covers it comes with for some pretty scrapbooking paper. I’m going to be using this little album every day for a year, so I want it to look cute! This photo album becomes my Scripture Meditation Album.
- Beginning in January, I prayerfully look for scriptures that speak to me – where I’m at in life, what I’m going through, what I’m praying about. I don’t rush the process. I let God give me the scriptures slowly over time, usually about one verse every two weeks or so. Sometimes I hear a verse in a sermon and write it down. Other times I come across one in my daily Bible reading. Again sometimes I go hunting for one to meet a particular need.
- Over the course of a year, I write my verses on 4×6 index cards and slip them into the pages of my Scripture Meditation Album. I usually only accumulate between 24-48 verses per year.
- Each day I read through all the scriptures that are in my album. I read them slowly, pausing to think on them and what God is saying to me through them. Sometimes I may even pray them back to God, asking Him to help me with something commanded or grant me something promised.
- I read through my Scripture Meditation Album three times each day. I’m feeding my soul. And I figure if I feed my stomach three times a day, why not feed my soul three times a day, too?
- Actually, I work toward memorizing the scriptures, too. You see, as we meditate slowly on the scriptures, we will naturally, over time, memorize them as well.
- I do this little practice usually in the morning during my quiet time, at lunch and in the evening before bed. I’m not legalistic about it. If it doesn’t happen some days, it’s okay.
By the way, if you’re interested, here are a few of the places in Scripture where we’re told to meditate and how:
If you’re interested in incorporating this frequently mentioned spiritual discipline into your life, I encourage you to try this simple method. I think you’ll find that it quickly produces fruit in your life. I’m glad to answer any questions you may have.
Oh, and one more thing. I actually wrote a Bible study and a devotional guide about this very thing – satisfying your soul through biblical meditation. The Bible study is called Satisfied…at Last! And the devotional guide is A Taste of Satisfaction. I’ll put them both in a shopping widget below along with my other books.
Have a blessed and fruitful day!
Blessed for My Day
Another way of thinking about meditation is to consider how we sometimes talk to ourselves. Do you ever talk to yourself? I do it all the time. Ha! I got that habit from my mom.
Meditation is a conversation in the mind and heart. It’s talking through something with ourselves. But the Bible instructs us to make God part of the conversation. So in meditation, you can ask God questions, express your feelings, verbalize your frustrations and counter it all with the truth of God’s Word. Just be sure to let God have the last word!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works. ~ Psalm 119:27
What a great idea!
Thanks for reading, Cornelia. I’m glad it benefited you! 🙂
What a wonderful idea.. thank you… this is just what I need. I love this idea thank you so much for sharing. I have terrible anxiety and I look forward to doing this.
Hi Chrissy. So many women struggle with anxiety. I’ve had seasons in my life when I grew anxious easily, too. And this spiritual discipline can be such a great way to battle it. I encourage you to follow through with this…all the way. Because I really do think it can make a difference. So don’t let the enemy steal this from you. Get that album and get on it. I’m praying for you to find relief from your anxiety!
Hi Kay thank you for such a thoughtful response. I ordered your book too. I’m excited to learn new ways to manage anxiety. Thank you
Hi Kay, thank you for clarifying some areas about meditation. Feels good to know am on the right path.
Hi Kay thank you for such a thoughtful response. I ordered your book too. I’m excited to learn new ways to manage anxiety. Thank you
Oh my, what a wonderful idea! I am going to start my own Scripture album. Thank you for sharing!!
Good to hear, Ava. I pray that God blesses your efforts!
This is a very helpful post, thank you Kay. This is a practice I want to start immediately! I just purchased your Bible study from Amazon.
Great to hear, Karen. I hope you enjoy the study and the meditation album. Blessings~!
I love this idea!!! I’ll be getting a photo album soon and putting this into practice in my own life.
Great to hear, Tracey. I think you’ll really like doing this.
I so agree with you! My day is always much better if I start off with Bible study and prayer. I rarely, if ever, totally miss this time. My life would have been better if I had done this in my 20’s. But, alas, now I know> I am glad you are sharing in this way.
Great, Fonda. Thanks so much for letting me know that you are enjoying these posts. Have a wonderful weekend!
Beautiful post Kay…thank you!
You’re quite welcome, Deborah. Thanks for commenting!
I love this Kay! My Quiet time with the Lord is very precious to me and vital. I like the idea of the photo album verses and will pick up one next time I’m in Walmart. You’ve challenged me to feed my soul on God’s Word 3 times a day…I love that! Blessings to you! ❤️
Great, Nancy! I think you will enjoy using the album in this way. Have a lovely day!
Thank you for the great idea! I have a group of ladies that I will be meeting with soon, and I will buy some albums and hand them out to them so they may implement this idea also. What a great way to get in God`s word.
That’s a wonderful idea, Jodi. I often do the same thing. It’s a practice that has worked so well for me that I really am passionate about sharing it with other women. And I do find that if you go ahead and equip them with an album and some index cards, they’re more prone to follow through.
This is a wonderful idea I will definitely use! I’m so glad to know you have written books! I’m going to check those out. Thanks for all you do to encourage women to be the best we can be…inside and out!
Great, Liz! Please do. I love all of my studies because they came out of very distinct seasons in my life when God was teaching me particular things. But my favorite really is the Joseph study. Let me know if you go through one or more of them. I’d love to hear from you!
This is such a great idea that’s easy to implement! Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Kathy. I hope you get a chance to test it out and see. Have a blessed day!
I LOVE this idea and I’m going to start this week!!!! I do follow a scripture writing plan from the sweetblessings blog every month; but, I love the idea of scriptures that speak specifically to me and the areas of my life, God is trying to grow me in!
Have a blessed 3 day weekend!
Yes, I find that meditating on and memorizing scriptures that speak specifically to my season of life is very important. It makes it more meaningful, more likely to stick and obviously helpful. Plus, I’m more likely to share with others if I’m passionate about the scriptures I’m “eating.”
I love this. Showing us the beauty and help Scripture has been to you, and then giving us a practical way to follow your journey. It answers the “Yes, but HOW?” question I so often have. I will be trying this and ordered your study. Love your blog, and I am thankful for your teaching. Asking God to walk with you and before you in this new place of ministry.
Thank you so much, Deanna. You gals make this venture a joy. I hope you enjoy the study!
I am going to buy a photo album and do this. What a great idea! Thank you so much. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 ESV
Great, Debbie. I hope you enjoy the discipline. It has made such a difference in my life. Blessings, sweet gal!
The album is a beautiful idea, Kay! Thanks for sharing this. I find that keeping a journal is a great help, and I am sure Bible verses soothe the soul. I like your statement that sometimes the verses find us! I so enjoy your style of writing on your blogs, and I am happy to see you have published books to share! Blessings!
Hi Betty! Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad you enjoy the blog. Let me know if you end up purchasing a book. I’d love to hear what you think. Have a blessed weekend!
Kay you are such a blessing to us! I am excited to buy a photo album and start finding/listening for my Bible verses. Also going to check out your books ? Thank you for all you do!
Great to hear, Barb. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the post and plan to start the scripture meditation discipline. It can be such a blessing!
I’m late to the party on this one, but I REALLY enjoyed this post. I keep index cards on what/whom I’m praying for. But since seeing your system using the small album from Walmart, you gave me an excellent idea! I’ve had all theses cards clipped to the inside of my journal I write in ,but the stack is getting larger & harder to clip together. Now I’ll just transfer them to one of those albums, thanks for the idea! Have a wonderful weekend & hopefully you get unpacked what you need to!
Hi Gina! Great to hear. Yes, that should definitely work for your prayer cards, too. And that way you can take them with you so easily. I often stick my album in my purse or travel bag if I’m traveling or even just going out for the day. I’m glad the post met your need!
Love this post!
Thank you for showing me an easy way to capture the verses God impresses upon my heart in such a practical way. So helpful.! Also I have one of your books already and have not previously made the connection to you. Thank you for posting them.
Great to hear, Laurie. I really do hope this practical tool works for you the way it has worked for me. Blessings!
This is an amazing practice. Thank you for posting it.
I have been practicing all your advise for a life time since I learned it from my Mother but certainly more during the trying times we are in. Thanks for your sage wisdom and encouragement.