Before we begin each guided meditation,
We're going to relax the mind and the body with a series of breathing and relaxation exercises.
When inhaling,
Your abdominal area should expand as it fills with air.
Slow and methodical breathing is essential to relaxation and the release of toxic emotions.
Make sure you're seated in a comfortable chair or position.
Close your eyes.
Let the stress and worries of the coming day dissipate from your mind.
This is God's time and you want to focus all your attention on Him.
As we continue with a short series of breathing exercises.
With each exhalation,
Allow your body to sink into a deeper level of relaxation.
During this exercise.
Breathe in through your nose.
Hold your breath for a few seconds.
Then exhale either through your nose or mouth.
Inhale Exhale.
Inhale,
Hold it.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Let your body and mind now become open and receptive to God's Word and wisdom.
As I begin to share with you biblical passages and scriptural affirmations.
As you're listening to this guided meditation.
Your mind may begin to wander.
When it does.
Simply redirect and take authority over wandering thoughts.
By turning your attention back to your breathing.
During the meditation,
It's important that you stay focused on the present.
For the duration of this meditation.
Let go of every care or concern and concentrate only on the sound of my voice.
And your breathing.
It's not necessary for you to memorize or remember everything that is said.
Just relax.
Breathe.
And get ready to receive.
Taking control of your thought life.
Will give you a greater understanding of your mind.
And how you can live each day filled with God's peace and free from worry.
During the meditation.
Each time you find that your mind has wandered off.
Quickly redirect your attention back to your breathing.
You can also mentally repeat the scripture.
Peace be still.
Romans chapter 12 verse 2 tells us,
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
He's good.
Pleasing and perfect will.
According to this scripture.
Until we renew our minds.
We cannot even comprehend the will of God for our lives.
That's because earthly thinking clouds and contradicts God's ways and purposes.
Isaiah chapter 55 verse 9 declares as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Though are my ways higher than your ways.
And my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Since we have these promises,
Dear friends,
Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.
Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2nd Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1 We're contaminated mentally and spiritually.
It started when we were born.
It came from the opinions and nonverbal cues we received from our parents,
Friends,
And society at large.
Mental and spiritual contamination was further embedded.
By what we watched on television.
The literature we read,
And the music we listened to.
Even after we gave our hearts to Christ.
This worldly contamination then and now continues to influence our actions,
Behavior and pursuits.
And although many of the messages we received were false.
They continue to be our reality because we believe them.
Proverbs 3 27 declares As a man thinks in his heart,
So is he.
Whether you realize it or not.
Right now,
You are living the life of your dreams.
Your present circumstances are directly related to the thoughts you've allowed to be planted,
Take root,
And grow in your mind.
Luke Chapter 6 verse 45 tells us A good man out of the good treasure in his heart brings forth that which is good.
But the same principle holds true for our evil thoughts.
If you don't like where you are,
Your only course of action is to change the way you think.
But that's easier said than done.
Paul stated it clearly in Romans 7 verses 22-24 when he said,
When I want to do good,
Evil is right there with me.
For in my inner being I delight in the laws of God,
But I see another law at work in the members of my body.
Waging war against the law of my mind.
And making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
In other words,
If you aren't controlling your thoughts then your thoughts are controlling you.
Renewing your mind means to observe and reject.
Every thought that is contrary to God's Word.
2nd Corinthians chapter 10 verse 5 tells us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
And bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
But you can't change what you don't see or acknowledge.
Over the next few weeks,
Keep a journal.
And start to record your reoccurring thoughts.
You'll begin to see a pattern in your thinking wherein lies the key to many problems,
Insecurities,
Or failures that you are facing today.
Once you recognize the negative self-talk interfering with your peace of mind,
Or crippling your Christian walk.
You can make a conscious effort to change it and bring it into alignment with God's word.
Your thoughts may be telling you that you are alone.
But God said you are not alone because he will never leave you or forsake you.
Your thoughts might insist that you must fight for what you want.
But God says,
Where there is strife and envy,
There is every evil work.
And that if we hold our peace he will fight our battles for us.
Find out what God says about your situation.
And verbally attack your erroneous thoughts with his word.
Another important key to living free from worry,
Depression,
And fear is to live consciously and in the present moment.
Your mind is constantly pulling you into incessant thinking.
And empty daydreams.
But your mind can't be two places at once.
It can't be fully conscious and drowning in thought at the same time.
Today.
You will make a commitment to stop living in the past or in anticipation of some future circumstance.
Today you will begin to enjoy the many blessings of your life and practice contentment.
Today you will possess an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.
You may not be able to change your present circumstances at this very moment.
But you can change your perspective and attitude.
During the meditation and throughout the day.
Each time you find that your mind has wandered off.
Quickly redirect your attention.
Back to the present moment.
By concentrating on your breathing.
Or becoming fully present in whatever you're doing.
The more you can keep your mind focused on the present moment in the now.
The more at peace and worry-free you will be.
Jesus emphasized this in Matthew chapter 6 when he said,
Take no thought for your life.
And do not worry about tomorrow.
Right now,
All is well.
Trust God to meet any need that may arise in the future.
And release every thought of fear and doubt.
90% of what we worry about never happens anyway.
Right now,
Experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding.
Your mind is where every battle is fought and either won or lost.
Prohibit unwanted thoughts like weeds from taking root and growing an orchard in your mind by staying focused on the present.
And pulling up negative thoughts as they surface.
Leaving your garden unattended will result in a sprawling weed bed of negativity and toxic emotions that may result in a spiritual stronghold.
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 is any virtue,
And if there is any praise,
Think on these things.
Philippians chapter 4 verse 8 during the remainder of the meditation.
Practice being fully present.
Each time you find that your mind has wandered off.
Quickly redirect your attention back to your breathing.
You can also repeat the scripture.
May peace be still.
This concludes Taking Control of Your Thought Life meditation.
