Inspiration Meditation

There is a widely used term in the self-help or self-improvement philosophy called “stinkin’ thinkin’”  This refers to all negative thinking about one’s self as it is an impediment to one’s success.   One must replace stinkin’ thinkin’ with constant positive thoughts and self-imaging according to the self-help gurus.

     There is a legitimate positive thinking method but it is not about raising self-esteem or self-worth as a person.  This positive thinking will make us a better Christian and consequently a better person to the world.  We should change positive thinking to “inspiration meditation” which involves God’s Word.  The Apostle Paul wrote a good example of inspiration meditation for us.

     “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there  be any praise, think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8. There is God’s positive thinking method which is really meditation that inspires Christians.

     Surely we all know that persistent and prevailing thoughts can persuade our actions.  The wise King Solomon knew it and told it.  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”  Proverbs 23:7. People will act according to the dominant thoughts of their mind whether good or bad.  That can happen to Christians as well which is the reason for inspiration meditation – meditating on the Word of God.

     The Psalmist saw one who practiced inspiration mediation as a blessed person.  “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…..But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  Psalms 1:1-2. Christians are blessed by inspiration meditation to the degree of their meditation. The more meditation the more blessing.

     The chaotic and crazy world we live in can cause discomforted hearts within Christians as well as the lost.  Christians have a remedy the lost do not have which is inspiration meditation.  The O.T. Prophet, Isaiah, was accustomed to it.  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…”  Isaiah 26:3. Isaiah didn’t repose in humanistic positive thinking.  Rather he meditated on the Word of God – inspiration meditation.

       We will do well to mimic the Psalmist and the apostle Paul by meditating regularly on God’s Word.  If we are guilty of stinkin’ thinkin’ (par. 1) may we be quick to substitute inspiration meditation.  Nothing else will settle us and raise our spirit like the Word of God.