How to Help Your Anxiety Through Meditation
Inside: Has someone suggested meditation to you to help with anxiety and you’re wondering if a Christian can do it? Tips for meditation techniques for anxiety!
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The fact that I mentioned the word “anxiety” and meditation has already caused a few of you to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
Some have already shot me down, and they have decided not to read further because I must not be a real Christian.
It’s too “New Age.”
It’s too Buddhist.
And I might be flirting with some eastern religion to even write about this topic.
Because I’ve had a few commenters give me their feelings in blog posts from the past, and I wanted to set the record straight.
Before any of those other religions even existed, God desired for us to meditate. It is written in His word multiple times.
However, the way God commands us to do it is different from other religions and New Age techniques.
The Current Models of Meditation
The buzzword, mediation, in our culture today can mean two different things.
First, someone might be talking about Concentration Meditation where the person focuses on a single object while emptying the mind.
The mind trains to go for longer and longer periods of time.
I’d compare this to the training for a sports event where conditioning needs to happen and endurance increases through time.
The second popular one is Mindfulness Meditation. This focuses on the patterns of thoughts coming into the mind.
The person learns to just see the thoughts without judgment, but rather examining them, and then letting these thoughts pass.
The benefits of these types of meditation are:
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved blood circulation
- Lower heart rate
- Less perspiration
- Slower respiratory rate
- Less anxiety
- Lower blood cortisol levels
- More feelings of well-being
- Less stress
- Deeper relaxation
Biblical Meditation
In Joshua 1:8, God’s word tells us:
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Thus, God wants us to focus on His word.
To illustrate, the Hebrew words for meditation are
Therefore, what we focus on directly leads to our thinking, our actions, and behavior.
When we meditate on God’s Word, we connect with God in greater ways; we remind ourselves of His character, and we reaffirm to ourselves His faithfulness and track record.
All of these insights accomplish the same things that “New Age” meditation boasts about, in fact, might I argue that it creates a greater and longer-lasting benefit?
“Meditation is focused thinking. It takes serious effort. You select a verse and reflect on it over and over in your mind…if you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate.” ~Rick Warren
“No other habit can do more to transform your life and make you more like Jesus than daily reflection on Scripture…If you look up all the times God speaks about meditation in the Bible, you will amazed at the benefits He has promised to those who take the time to reflect on His Word throughout the day” ~Rick Warren
Christian Meditation Techniques for Anxiety
When we think of the current culture of meditation, we might envision:
- burning candles
- rugs and pillows
- sitting with open palms faced toward Heaven
- mantras
- gongs
- incense
In other words, it’s a deep contemplation with the goal of growing in faith and developing a stronger relationship with God.
As you can see, this type isn’t just contained in a certain place or time. It can happen spontaneously during the day and night.
Asking the Right Questions
As a Christian, it’s so easy to hear another brother and sister participating in something and waving the “you’re sinning card” in their faces. Perhaps we hear another sister is practicing meditation as a way to decrease her anxiety.
Before we think she’s becoming “new age” we should ask the right questions instead of simply falling our own thoughts and offering blanket statements.
We need to be careful of not becoming like the Pharisees of the New Testament and letting pride or legalism dictate.
Therefore, ask her how she meditates. Depending on the answer, we can be supportive of Christian meditation and how it draws a closer relationship and deeper faith.
If it’s one of the other types of meditation, we can ask for a further explanation while not attacking.
However, if it sounds like it’s drawing them away from God, we need to be an encourager, but also remember that each of us is convicted by the Holy Spirit.
What we might not feel comfortable doing due to the conviction of the Holy Spirit within us might be different for someone else.
While Christian meditation can be a remedy to anxiety, focusing on God will help everyone as we journey through this world.
We can join together and practice meditating on God’s word together.
Taking time to spend time in God’s presence can help all of us.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Verses About Meditation Techniques for Anxiety
63 One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
For more verses and a printable for you, click on the pdf below!
If you’re looking for some Essential oils to help you focus when you’re meditating on God’s Word:
Here’s my story of how they have helped me!
- Ylang-Ylang
- Sandalwood
- Lavender
- Frankincense
- Peppermint
- Orange
I’m glad to see someone y’all about this, I definitely think this is an excellent tool God provided for dealing with anxiety.
Danell- I think you’re right!
Great thoughts here, Julie! My book on Christian meditation comes out this year, and I couldn’t agree more with everything you share here!
Sarah- that’s so exciting!
This is great!!
I was just thinking of this today as I was out on a walk trying to unwind. I want to incorporate more meditation in my life… ok, if I’m honest, ANY meditation. 🙂
I feel like our modern lives – the internet especially – can tangle up our thoughts in a sea of distractedness.
I believe the I AM wants us to be present in the moment He is giving us right now and to be present with Him in His word.
Christina- thank you for sharing this! I agree with you!
Meditation is wonderful and not “new age”—it has been around a long time! I think anything you can do to focus on the quiet and on tuning out distractions and focusing on the Lord is a wonderful thing. Thank you for this!
Jessica- yes, that is key!
This call to meditate on God’s Word, by stilling our lives, closing out distractions to focus on a verse or passage, reminds us to enter the space where we are able to sit in his presence. In our chaotic, busy, noisy, fast-paced world we do need to stop and take the time to enter into the beautiful and profound peace that can only be found through and in God.
Anne- what you wrote is so true! Its a choice to stop and pause!
There is wonderful peace found in meditating on God’s Word. 🙂
Melissa- amen!
For Christian meditation, I find the Lectio Divina to be helpful. 1. Read and reread a scripture. 2. “Hear” God’s voice in the words, how they might apply to you. 3. Talk to God about the verses. Ask Him questions. 4. Contemplate. Enjoy His presence.
Linda- thank you for sharing!
Once again the world has taken something Biblical and used it in wrong ways and meditation falls into this category. I agree we should spend time meditating on the God and on verses in the Bible. God calms us and communicates with us in these situations. Good thoughts
Yvonne- exactly! I think God’s directive of not conforming to the world is key here!
I used to think meditation meant I had to empty all my thoughts and try to just focus on God. Which, of course, is impossible! So now I try to focus each thought on a Scripture or the Names of God. That helps!
Emily- thank you for sharing what helps for you!
Interesting. I know that I suffer with tremendous anxiety where it can soon become debilitating. I know that I often turn to the scriptures and I know that when I start praising the Lord comes and visits with me I’m thankful for our father!
Jessica- yes, thank you for sharing your experience!
It is interesting that you blogged about this, as I just blogged on a “mindfulness guru” guy who borrows from these techniques and yet claims to be an atheist. I find that ironic, and frankly, a bit annoying. This guy rips into Christians, as if we’re some kind of nut jobs, and yet borrows from the very ideas he claims are moronic. So, I am glad you posted on what true, Biblical meditation is! Good job – maybe Sam Harris should read it. LOL
Lisa- yes, I saw that! Your post was interesting!
Meditating and memorizing God’s word is a great way to calm anxiety and to help one sleep in peace. I can’t imagine emptying my mind when Paul says to instead renew it. Emptiness doesn’t inspire. But God’s word lifts us up and keeps us at peace in His presence. Great post! 🙂 Loved the quotes by Rick Warren! 🙂
Marcie- yes, Amen!
Thanks for posting. During quiet devotional time is my opportunity to reflect and gain some peace. That is my meditation time.
Claudio- yes, that time can be both! Growing in faith and getting closer to God!
Okay, so while this article didn’t cause the hairs on the back of my neck to raise (LOL!) I’ll admit I decided to read it very carefully when I saw the word “meditation”. I was happy to see how you have filtered out the not-so-desirable forms and gotten meditation down to its most true, pure and Biblical form, pointing out how God’s Word encourages us to meditate. What better way to connect with Him while managing anxiety at the same time. This is a great way to cast all our cares on Him. God urges us to be anxious for nothing, so of course He would provide ways to control the anxiety that so many of us struggle with. Thank you so much for sharing!