5 WAYS TO STAY MINDFUL BASED ON THE BIBLE
According to Wikipedia, Mindfulness is the process of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present without judgement which one develops through the practice of meditation and through other training. Continue reading to find out the 5 ways to stay mindful based on the bible
According to Greater Good Magazine, Mindfulness means maintaining a moment by moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens.
THE 3 A’s OF MINDFULNESS
- AWARENESS
- ATTENTION
- ACCEPTANCE
AWARENESS – Awareness is acknowledging that something exists. This means that we acknowledge whatever is going on within and without us. Within is based on your thoughts and perception of things, what you are feeling at the moment. Feelings can be anger, happiness, sadness etc. and without can be related to reality of life, present condition and circumstances.
ATTENTION – is the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something. It is actively taking steps in dealing with those things within and without us. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, attention is the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to and watching someone or something. Attention is the act of carefully thinking about and listening to our thought, our feeling, our environment and surrounding.
ACCEPTANCE –Acceptance is agreeing to or validating those thoughts, feelings, facing reality, accepting that those feelings, thoughts and situation does exist. It is the ability to face reality rather than shying away from it.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MINDFULNESS
- Above all else, Guard your heart, for everything good flows from it.
Proverbs 4: 23 (NIV)
To guide according to the dictionary means to watch over in order to protect or control. It is okay to be mindful of what is within and around us but we must not let it control us.
- Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
- Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12 vs 2 (NLT)
- But whose delight is in the law of the lord and who mediates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by the streams of water which yields its fruits in season and whose leave does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1 vs 2-3
As we see, meditation and mindfulness is recorded in the bible and it is biblical to practice meditation and mindfulness as long as it is in line with God’s principles
5 WAYS TO STAY MINDFUL BASED ON THE BIBLE AND OUR REALITY
- FOCUS ON THE PRESENT
Matthew 6: 25 – 34
The above verse talks about focusing on today and leaving tomorrow to take care of itself. You might be tempted to focus on our present circumstances, worry about what we will drink and eat, clothes we will put on, means of livelihood etc. but we cannot possibly change these things by worrying about them. Let your focus in the present.
- PRACTICE SERENITY
Philippians 4:6
The verse in Philippians talks about not being anxious. You need to maintain calmness while practising mindfulness while at the same time being aware of your present state of mind and situation, pay attention to it, accept it and then present the, to God in prayer. You maintain calmness by meditating on God’s words and letting God’s words displace every fear, anxiety and uncertainties
- HAVE FAITH
2 Corinthians 5 vs 7
Faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. You might find yourself faced with anxiety, uncertainties, and fears about everything going on around us and within us, however we need to have faith that everything will turn out good. We need to be mindful of God’s promises and meditate on them. God said he will never leave us nor forsake us. You should not be moved by what you see but have faith that what you believe will come into manifestation.
- PRACTICE THANKFULNESS
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. The bible talks about being thankful even in trying times and in all circumstances whether good or bad.
So instead of placing your focus on things you do not have or on things you cannot change, why not put your focus on the things you have. If there is a lock down and you cannot go out, why not be thankful that you at least have a roof over your head. When you are mindful and thankful, it helps you stay happy, positive and also gives you some inner peace. Do not feel depressed that you are locked down at home, rather be thankful you are not locked down in the hospital
- HAVE A ROUTINE
Proverbs 16:27-29
This is verse, the bible mentioned that idle hands and lips are the devil’s workshop and mouth piece. While you are mindful of your present circumstances, it is important to use your time judiciously. Don’t just wake up each day without any sense of direction. Make a plan of what you are going to do each day and make it a routine. Break your plan into smaller bits and mark them off as you accomplish them daily.
Stop being anxious for nothing and cast all your cares and burdens on God. Also pray without ceasing and believe God will take care of the rest because he promised us that he will never leave us nor forsake us.
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