I’ve been learning something from readings I’m doing. The practice of mindfulness is not a new-age or mystical belief. It’s a practice which Jesus taught. Be mindful. Watch and pray. Do not worry, for today has enough worry of it’s own. He told his disciples to pray and be aware while he prayed in Gethsemane.
One way to be mindful, is to focus on a sense, such as being very mindful of all the sounds around me as I breathe deeply from deep in my gut. I could concentrate on all the things I see around me, like the thousands of colors that God displays each day. It keeps my mind busy so that there isn’t as much room for anxious thoughts to sneak in.
I always thought that the verses in Phil. 4:6-7, were a command not to be anxious. They’ve always been favorites of mine and I have memorized them and cling to them quite often. But in thinking and praying more about it, a revelation came to me about those verses.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If we were instantly rid of all anxious thoughts, then why would it say, WITH petition? We wouldn’t need to petition God about anything if we didn’t need him. We need some healthy fear or we’d be robots. Don’t forget thanksgiving! He does so much in my life every day and I need to realize and be thankful for the positive things. And, would we need to present our requests to God if everything always went perfectly? And that peace…we need His peace. It transcends ALL understanding–no one could understand why we receive total peace sometimes. The peace He gives guards your HEART and your MIND to make the body, soul and mind work together the way He designed it.
Just some thoughts of mine that I’m realizing. I hope it makes some sense to you. I hope it helps you. Blessings on your day.
I liked that insight, which I am sure the Holy Spirit gave you. t was in Mattawan yesterday for church (where my son is the pastor) and afterward we were discussing the message and the songs, one of which was “Holy Spirit you are welcome in this place” and after singing this we begin to think of other things and discussing completely different ideas. this struck me!
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Thank you! I hope to always write what the Holy Spirit gives me. I strive to listen and be sensitive to the still small voice.
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The incomparable C.S. Lewis wrote: “That is why the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.” DJ
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That Chuck! He was such a smart man! Yup, we have to strive to listen to the Holy Spirit’s still small voice and not all the things that rush at us every morning….so true. BE still. Working on that!
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Amen!
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Thank you Janie! You know all too well about trials. God sustains us!
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