Meditation has many benefits. Even science is demonstrating that the human body benefits from even the smallest time spent in meditation.
As three-part beings, it’s not surprising that something that would affect the mind would also have an impact on the body. After all, we are so intricately designed that when one part of your the experiences something enjoyable or unpleasant, it gets your attention. And if that experience falls into the category of being a a serious problem, without your permission, the body will begin to take measures to compensate for the vulnerable body part to maintain production, life, or your vitals.
Unfortunately, the mind-body connection is never more obvious than when it comes to anxiety and its arch nemesis meditation. It’s a little too obvious that fear, worry, and anxiety don’t just impact the mind, but also have an effect on the body.
Stress alone has been linked to elevated blood pressure levels, anxiety, depression, an upset stomach, chest pains, an inability to sleep, weight gain, heart attack, and even stroke—all bad things. All bad things that it would be better to not experience in this lifetime. Add to that anxiety’s potential impact on a person’s relationship, outlook, and decisions, and meditation can becomes an easy choice.
Like a domino effect, anxiety spills over into the various arenas and moments of life causing havoc. Thankfully meditating on Scripture stands in opposition to the enemy’s attempts to ruin your day, your life, and your body.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
The life Jesus is talking about you living in John 10:10, is not equivalent to the act of existing, of getting up day in and day out to check a couple tasks off your to-do list before you get in bed so you can repeat the same cycles in the next 24-hour period. Instead, Jesus ends His mission statement with a very crucial word, “abundantly.”
Abundance is defined as a very large quantity of something. But one of my favorite definitions of abundance describes it as the opposite of scarcity, because it’s a state of having more than you need.
God sent His only Son to the earth to the live the perfect life that no one could live and then pay the ultimate price no one could pay by enduring the punishment everyone had earned and dying a death no one could survive, just so we could have everlasting life and unlimited access to God, the originator of lavish abundance.
When we reflect on what we’ve been given through covenant, the abundance that belongs to us, it’s not surprising that meditation on this truth would affect our bodies. As the truth of the Word reigns in wild thoughts and ushers in peace, light shines on every lie, tracking down and exposing what should no longer access our thoughts or emotions. The results are noticeable and have even been documented:
- Lowered Blood Pressure
- Greater Sense of Peace and Calm
- Reduction of Stress
- Greater Ability to Focus
- Less Fatigue
- Better Sleep
- Ability to Relax
- Less Muscle Tension
While meditation is popular among gurus, influencers, and celebrities, it’s also received attention from scientists and researchers studying the impact of meditation on law enforcement officers seeking to improve their mental health and on patients (in combination with their prescribed medication) who are experiencing migraines or opioid addiction.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-what-you-need-to-know
While science is still pondering the discipline we’ve been commanded to do day and night (Joshua 1:8), meditation remains an onramp into our place of safety, prosperity, and a greater trust in the One who has promised to be with us always.
In all honesty, I can’t say it’s not an addictive practice. To know that there is a way to shut the mouth of the enemy and turn the pressures of life into the stepping stones along the pathway of promotion, triumph, and fearless obedience is always enticing. By turning to truth, we wash away the taunts of the enemy, the hyperbolic bearers of bad news, and nail the coffin shut on the bullies of fear and worry. Rewriting our thought life to align with eternal truth equips us to better handle the latest round of depressing updates bantered back and forth on 24-hour news channels and find the abundance in every situation.
Not only is the mind set free, but we are able to reap the benefits in our bodies and our health, which is not surprising when our God calls Himself Jehovah Rapha. Instead of poor health and bodies riddled by fear and anxiety, we get to experience that abundant life that Jesus came to make sure we could access. And it’s still available to us today. That life free from fear has been provided for God’s children and His desire is that we enjoy the abundant gifts He’s given us without hesitation, second guessing, or shying away.
Take hold of that abundant life today. Enjoy the truth of what was done for you and what it means for you in every area of your life. Because your Maker has made provision for every thing that pertains to you so that you can enjoy the fullness of a relationship with Him.
” 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust.”
2 Timothy 1:2-4