How often do you find yourself reaching for the phone, to send a text or email the moment something happens in your life?
How often do you stop and pray first, asking God for strength and wisdom or thanking Him for the blessing? Does a Facebook post often take precedence over spending time reflecting in prayer?
In this virtual world that we live in, it’s so easy to succumb to the convenience of “instant”. Connections are at our fingertips via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Blogs and many other social networks.
Connections with others are so important. As Christians, they provide wonderful opportunities for fellowship with friends and family. They open doors for us to share our faith to a wide network of people globally.
Have we though allowed them to take, bit by bit, a little of our quiet time? Have we lost the ability to turn down the noise dial and spend time in prayer and reflection with God?
The Bible reminds us how wonderful it is to take all our needs to God in prayer.
Choosing Your Focus
Philippians 4 v 6 – 8 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages us to meditate upon a list of wonderful things.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The nature of meditation requires us to step aside from the hustle and bustle. Then we can rest and quieten our hearts and minds.
Finding Peace in a Noisy World
I medically retired 4 years ago due to a progressive rare bone disease. Now, my life couldn’t be more sedentary from a physical perspective. Through social networking, God has opened opportunities for me to support others with chronic illness. I am the founder/administrator of an online support forum for people with complex and chronic diseases and I share my 
own experiences and journey through my blog. I love both ministries and as with everything I’ve ever achieved in life, as an abled and disabled person, I give them my all.
The word “retirement” conjures up thoughts of ease, rest, and relaxation. However, I’ve started to feel like my world is so full of noise that I can barely hear my own thoughts. I’ve felt convicted this week that I have been so caught up in the work I love, I’ve forgotten how important it is to feed my own soul.
The beautiful hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, reminds me to meditate on the things of God.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and grief’s to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Both the passage from Philippians and the verse of this timeless song of faith, highlight that we forfeit peace when we cease to bring everything to God in prayer. When we do pray and spend time in quiet reflection, we find the peace of God that passes all understanding.
How amazing. Why wouldn’t we choose to take time to switch off the phone or the computer and meditate upon these things?
Simple Ways to Meditate on These Things
I’m making changes in my life to ensure I spend time every day in quiet reflection. That may take many forms. Sometimes simply praying and talking to God about all my cares, concerns and thanking Him for blessings he has given me and others.
Sometimes I like to journal the old-fashioned way by handwriting my innermost thoughts in a private book. I always feel this type of journaling is between me and God. It’s so special.
At other times, I like to spend time listening reflectivity to songs of faith. They feed my soul and renew my spirit.
Sometimes I’ll read devotionals or a passage from the Bible.
If I take time to “meditate on these things”, to feed my soul, I’m much better equipped to help encourage others. And if I don’t, I’ll burn out and I’ll have a disabled body along with a crippled heart and mind.
If you’re feeling a little swamped by your life circumstances, do you think maybe it’s time to switch off some of the noise? I’d encourage you to meditate upon the things in your life that, although good, are perhaps taking from you more than you realized.
By feeding your soul and spending time in God’s presence, I’m confident that you will find a peace that passes all understanding.
Sam retired early, from an Executive Management career in Banking, due to a rare bone disease. She is the founder of an online support forum "Medical Musings with Friends", a place where the hand of friendship & understanding is offered to anyone living with the effects of chronic disease.
