Meditation for Anxiety

The end of the year, often leaves me with these feelings of apprehension and mild anxiety. As I think and reflect on the previous year, I find myself often mildly dreading the year ahead. Now, deep down I know that as difficult as the previous year(s) might have been, there is always joy, pops of happiness and successes that I would have also experienced but isn't it interesting that most of us tend to focus more on the challenges and difficulties than on those pocketfuls of hope and joy that we experienced? The Bible understands this predicament and instructs us to focus on the positive and beautiful rather than on the difficulties.

'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. '

Philippians 4:8

Interestingly enough, when you mention the word "meditate" most people think of "silence" and "emptying the mind" but the Word of God frames meditation as an active call to choose about what we are thinking and calls us to actively think on those things that are considered good, pure, lovely, true, etc. There is so much scientific research that has proven that we are what we think, and the power that our thought life has on our mood, physical health and attitude towards life. I have come to believe that, the more we are in control of our own thought life and channel our thoughts towards what is good and holy then the less anxious we become.

So how can this be practically done?

Personally, I closed off the year by thinking of each month of the year and remembering at least one good thing about that month. I journaled these as a prayers of gratitude to the Lord, thanking Him for provision, His faithfulness, kindness and mercy. Furthermore, whenever feelings of anxiety came around, I made a conscious decision to actively think about the good that happened during the year and thanked God for it. The more I spent time actively thanking God for the good, the less anxious I became as His peace ultimately enveloped me.

'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. '

Philippians 4:6-8

FN

"In Him we live & breathe & have our being"