thoughts
How to Meditate on God to Learn Optimism
One of the ways we can develop greater health and greater success is to develop some of these habits below. These habits have secular origins, but I believe that they demonstrate the truth in Scripture.
One of the lessons in our e-book discusses the process of recalling all God has done. It comes from Psalm 77:11-13 and I believe exercising in this does several things. Some of these insights come from reading a decidedly secular book called “Learned Optimism.”
Again, because the origin comes from a psychologist shows that the outcome is true with empirical evidence, even if their attribution of the practice is not from a Christian world view.
Recall positive outcomes from the past
“Surely I will remember Your wonders of old” instructs us to try to see the past that shapes us with wonder of God’s hand. This creates resiliency for our current circumstances.
See the negatives as temporary
“You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble” puts into perspective that even the worse situations we may be facing are temporary. When we allow that mindset, we become more resilient in the world and trusting in God. In fact, it strengthens the faith we need today to see his faithfulness of yesterday.
Freedom from helplessness
“I cannot stop thinking about your might works” gives us the ability to act and confidence that we are not alone and helpless. Helplessness (often learned helplessness) leads to disempowering states like depression. But when we follow these words and meditate in what God has done, we begin to see everything else in a different optic.
These three aspects come from living a life that recalls all that God has done. They’ve shown that people who take the types of actions which can be derived from this mindset are more successful and live longer.
How often do people meditate on God’s “wonderful deeds of long ago”? Why not start today, and make it part of your program as we guide many people to do in “Hundredfold Now!”
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Take every thought captive
2 Corinthians 10:5:
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”
To tap into the “king within” is going to come up against a lot of resistance: what the world thinks, what you’ve been brought up to think, lies, misperceptions, rampant thoughts that run through your mind.
Take a moment to see if you can catch yourself thinking thoughts that may not be healthy.
As I could through this and begin to wrestle with the notion that, in alignment with God, I can unleash “the king within” — I see thoughts emerge that say, “No, it cannot be done.”
To counter-balance this, first we must be aware of the negative thinking. It can be subtle, and I am going to explore later how, by focusing on something bigger and beyond myself, I bring those thoughts to the surface.
And once you start to do this, you must “take every thought captive” and submit it to the Truth that comes from Christ living within having died for our brokeness.
It is only then that we can each begin to take on the mantle as a “king” to serve the king of all kings.
