EDUCATION

Mindfully Attaching To God

"EDUCATION" pages are full of thought-provoking information designed to appeal to all of your rational, thinking brain.  These pages are primarily for learning, as opposed to some other types of Comfort.Guide pages which are written more for motivation and consolation.  Let these teachings help guide you to the truth that you are noticed, loved and cared for, even though you might not always feel so!

Not long ago the cover of TIME magazine featured an attractive woman, probably in her late thirties, head tilted back, eyes closed, the epitome of perfect calm and tranquility.  The cover read: “The Mindful Revolution: The Science of finding Focuses in a stressed-out, multitasking Culture”.  Make no mistake about it, man’s answer to what ails us all.  Anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and more can all be solved through the practice of mindfulness it would seem.

Mindfulness is actually a practice that originates in Buddhism.  Essentially, the practice of mindfulness allows one to detach from the constant mental chatter that robs us of serenity and joy.  One learns to be mindful of his thoughts by simply noticing the thought as a thought, not a reflection of reality.  For example, getting pulled over for speeding may lead to judgmental thoughts about oneself such as, “I am such a jerk.  I should know better!”  Practicing mindfulness would be to say to oneself, “I notice that I am thinking I am a jerk for speeding, but this is simply a thought that I am having, nothing else.”

But this practice is not unique to Buddhism.  After all, it was Shakespeare who said, “Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so.”  As far as I know, he was not a Buddhist.  Cognitive therapy is based on recognizing that thoughts are just thoughts and have little to do with reality.  In my own life, in times of great stress, I have learned to detach from the hysterical prognosticator in my head.  It’s a valuable tool.  But as Christians, there is so much more than simply detaching from the slippery realm of one’s thoughts.  We are invited to attach to a personal God, the Prince of Peace. 

To attach to God, it is necessary to go through the process of becoming transformed in our thinking (Romans 12:1).  Thoughts and beliefs that bring anxiety, depression, condemnation, and distress are the remnants of a fallen, darkened mindset.  As Christians, the battlefield for the heart is waged in the mind as the truth of God collides with a multitude of lies confronting us at every turn.  These lies are hand-made to steal our peace by casting doubt on the truth that we have a good Heavenly Father who loves us, accepts us, and watches over us like a doting mother.  As such, to seek peace primarily though the practice of mindfulness is kind of like thinking about your food instead of actually eating it. It’s just not the same. There is so much more.

“He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.”  What peace the writer of Psalm 23 had despite the trouble surrounding him.  God has prepared a table for us, a table of grace and peace.  He invites us to come and dine with Him.  Kindly, mercifully, the Good Shepherd leads His little lambs beside still waters.  Peace is found in following hard after him.  When we slip, he bends down to help us.  So go ahead and be mindful of your anxious thoughts, but remember to be mindful of a loving God who sings songs of deliverance over you.  A God who gave all to reconcile you to himself.  A God whose thoughts toward you are more than the sand of the sea.  A God who invites the “weary and worn out” to be united to Him, the meek and lowly One.  Now that’s a revolution we all could use.
 
Courtesy: Michelle Rogers, Sarasota, FL


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PROMISES ..... short Scriptures to build you up and give you hope!

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.  For you will spread out to the right and to the left."  (Isaiah 54)

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