Meditating on God

Directing each other to think upon the attributes of God is such a wonderfully biblical way to counsel one another. To meditate on God is to deliberately choose to think about Him—His works, nature, and attributes. This can be done while observing nature (Ps 19:1-6), but is most fully accomplished—in a mind-transformative way—by thinking about specific biblical truths (Ps 19:7-13). As we meditate on God it will impact our thought patterns, words, and ultimately our life (Ps 19:14). It truly contributes to mental health.

Here is a starter list to get you going, along with one simple, suggested application.

  1. God is light (Isa 60:19; James 1:17; 1 Jn 1:5). This means that He has the power to overcome the darkness of our depression.
  2. God is love (1 Jn 4:8, 16; Romans 8:38-39). This means whatever trial we may now be experiencing cannot change God’s affection for us.
  3. God is wise and His ways are unsearchable (Rom 16:27; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom 11:33). This means He can be trusted to do us good, even when we cannot figure it out or see it.
  4. God is incorruptible (Rom 1:23). This means our sin cannot change our God.
  5. God is omniscient (Ps 139:1-6). This means He not only knows our past, which most of us are ashamed of, but He also knows our present needs and our future life.
  6. God is omnipotent (Gen 17:1; Exod 6:3). This means He not only knows everything we need, but is infinitely able to do something about it.
  7. God is omnipresent (Ps 139:7). This means we are never truly alone, even if our feelings say otherwise.
  8. God is immutable (Ps 102:26). This means He is utterly dependable.
  9. God is holy, just, and true (Ps 99:9; Isa 45:21; John 17:3). This means He can be fully trusted at all times.
  10. God is good (Ps 25:8). This means He works for us.
  11. God is great (Ps 86:10). This means He is always worthy of praise.
  12. God is gracious (Ps 116:5). This means He lavishes us with goodness.
  13. God is faithful (1 Cor 10:13). This means He will always provide a way through our trials and temptations.
  14. God is merciful (Ps 86:5). This means He continues to withhold His wrath, which we deserve, because of Jesus’s propitiatory sacrifice.
  15. God is long-suffering (Num 14:18; Mic 7:1). This means His patience toward us is truly long, very long.
  16. God is compassionate (2 Kin 13:23). This means He feels our grief.

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