This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.

Joshua 1:8

Today was incredibly rough at work. I moaned and groaned, inwardly of course, but then I decided I needed to change the channel in my mind. I began to meditate on the word of God. Several verses came to mind and I repeated them over and over. I quietly said the Lord’s prayer over and over again and found that my stress level dropped. The situation at work did not change but my reaction to what was going on became more of a response. And I felt tremendous peace. I would call that success!!!

Meditating on God’s word helps us see our present situation through a larger lens. When our focus is on God and His goodness, faithfulness and love and we train my thoughts to line up with His word,we can find rest in the midst of chaos. I am not saying it is easy because creating new channels in our mind takes time, but I do know, it’s worth the investment.

We get to choose throughout the day what we will meditate upon – the latest news, the doctor’s report, the bank statement, the relationship that is difficult. I have never found those things to move me towards success. But when God’s word really is the lamp unto my feet and the light to my path, I experience peace and the rest that comes from knowing that God is in control and He hasn’t stopped looking after me. And He hasn’t stopped looking after you. These truths help me in stressful situations that I have little control over. I can’t make the situation change but I can change my thinking about it.

This verse reminds us that one time meditating might not be enough! We need to purposefully and intentionally make time day and night to meditate on God’s word, to plant it in our hearts in peaceful times so that we are prepared when a stressful time arrives. Because we probably all know that stressful times will come.

Father, Your word is the best medicine for anything and everything that ails me. Your word has never let me down and I am so grateful for Your faithfulness to watch over Your word. Please bring the verses to mind that will grant me peace when I am being bombarded with a stressful situation. Help me to purposefully meditate on Your word day and night, I ask in Jesus’s name, amen.