Surprised by Meditation
You may be able to relate: your body is ready for sleep, but your mind isn’t. Frustrating, isn’t it?
Some nights while trying to fall asleep, my mind is still racing after a busy day. Unfinished tasks threaten to nag my weary body back out of bed. I forgot to transfer the laundry. I started the dishwasher, right? When does that order need to be finished by again?
When waking in the middle of the night, I sometimes struggle to quiet my mind, too. Unsolved problems attack my mind and anxiety attacks my heart as I flounder to find the underlying causes, hopeful that resolutions will suddenly materialize.
I’ve had numerous bouts with sleeplessness (usually due to adrenal exhaustion). When the insomnia-insanity flares, it’s not long before I’m looking for an easy solution—because who wants to exert energy when you’re exhausted?
My friend, I found the answer!
It’s times like these that I think about Isaiah 26:3. Why just this specific verse? Wait until I tell you about it.
This verse works! I concentrate on thinking only about this scripture over and over, and next thing I know the Sandman has come to visit.
This process has turned into a sort of sleeping pill.
But seriously, it gets better.
The other night I was having one of those nights of tossing and turning. As I was about to pop my “spiritual sleeping pill,” I had the idea to think about each word and savor it slowly like a piece of chocolate. It surprised me at how each word spoke a 3-second sermon to my weary soul. Check out this breakdown.
Meditating on Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You. This word is referring to God. It’s always good to get God on the brain.
Keep. What a comforting word! When I think about “keep,” I think about when you are purging old, unused items in your house and you ask the question, “Do I toss or keep?” The items you keep are, of course, the ones that are valuable to you. In relating this word to your savoring process, I think God is “keeping” you. He is keeping you close and safe.
Him. This word refers to you—His child. You can know that this promise is specifically for you.
In. This word is a preposition. It is often used in a prepositional phrase such as “in the basket.” It shows placement. The dictionary actually says it indicates inclusion in a space. So let’s see which area this word is taking you.
Perfect. If any gift is coming from God, you know it is going to be perfect. (James 1:17) I looked this word up in the Greek Lexicon for this verse and found that it is tied in with the word “peace” which directly follows it. That means they come as a unit.
Peace. It stems from the root Shalom, from H7999, and means “safety, soundness (in body).” That is perfect when you’re trying to go to sleep! Peace, indeed!
Whose. A possessive pronoun referring to something you own. What do you possess? See the next word.
Mind. Your mind is involved here. No one else gets to decide what is on your mind but you. Go back and read the previous sentence again.
Is. This is a state of being verb, indicating what is in existence or happening now.
Stayed. Now you get to the action that you do! “Stayed” here means your mind is fixed. Concentrating. Meditating.
On. This word is a preposition that helps you realize what something is attached to or is supported by (for example, on the table.) What your mind is fixed and concentrating on is attached to something else. In this case, Someone else.
You. God, again! It started with God—now you are going to keep God on your mind.
The Home Stretch of Your Meditating
Hang in there because you’re coming to the home stretch with this verse!
Because. This word lets you know that there is a reason coming. What is going to catapult your promise into place?
He. “He” is referring to you again. It’s a heads up that you have another part to play in the process.
Trusts. Not only do you choose to concentrate on thinking about God, but choose to trust Him. Remember the weights that have been keeping you awake, or causing that feeling of unrest? Oh, yeah, this is why you started meditating on this verse! It’s at this moment that the choice arises to trust God.
In. Remember this word shows placement, and it indicates inclusion in a space. So let’s see which area this word is taking you.
You. This word brings you to God. You trust in Him. Not your circumstances, problems, stresses, other people, money, jobs, possessions, or anything else. Just. God.
Try Meditating
The next time you are tossing and turning because problems are plaguing your mind, try this! When you’re bored trying to go to sleep, try this “sleeping pill”! If you are worried during the night—or day—think through the words in this verse.
Slowly. Let them savor—like a piece of chocolate. God will minister life and peace to your heart through His word.
Do you ever have trouble sleeping? What do you do to fall back to sleep? Share your tips in the comments below.
The next time you are tossing and turning because problems are plaguing your mind, try this! Click To Tweet*This post is shared on some of my favorite linkups.
**Edited from the archives.
Like this post? Your friends probably would, too! Use the icons below to share it with them. Your friends will be glad you didn’t keep it all to yourself!
This post blessed me this morning. Thank you for writing this. It’s just what I needed and will practice tonight as I get to bed. xx
So glad to hear it, Carolina! Sweet dreams. 😉
Kelly, this is a great post! I’m writing articles for a Christian meditation app that has yet to be released, and my theme verse for 2017 is Isaiah 26:3. Such a fitting post for this time in my life! Sharing on FB and Twitter.
Thanks, Sarah!
I spent the past few minutes memorizing this verse. I have too many nights that are spent in wakeful drowsiness while my mind is whirring along. Thank you so much, Kelly. I will be meditating on Isaiah 26:3 and others.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
That’s wonderful, Linda! It will make a difference!
Love the breakdown. It was like savoring choice morsels slowly. Wow. I need to repeat.
It’s actually better than chocolate, right? 😉
I find praying in the long, still time of waking (too early) will eventually drift me back to sleep. Meditating on scripture is a wonderful thing to do on the night watch! xo Visiting from Meg’s today. #19
Yes, Susan, prayer becomes a natural part of the process. Those anxious times turn into sweet ones. I’m glad you visited today! 🙂
Instead of meditating, I call this practice “pray-reading,” as the two are the same as you pray over each word or phrase to find the deeper meaning of God’s words. The Word of God is living and brings life to our spirit as we explore through our prayer all the resources of our God. As we do pray-reading, the Biblical words will remain within as a resource whenever there is a need that can be addressed. It’s wonderful to have such a recipe for sleeplessness and at the same time, have the peace of God which passes understanding, to keep us in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 has new meaning to me as I reflected and prayed over the words you wrote. Thank you for this wonderful reminder of how the Word can bring health and peace to our daily life.
I was introduced to contemplative prayer by, all people, Judge Reinhold at a Willow Creek conference many years ago, Kelly. You may be too young to remember Judge but he was Eddie Murphy’s bumbling side-kick in Beverly Hills Cop and was the “close-talker” in a Seinfeld episode back in the day. Anyway, he and his wife are believers and really champion this kind of prayer. I’ve never thought of doing it to try and get to sleep, though. I could have used it last night, since I was struggling a bit! Thanks for the great idea, my friend!
How neat! Im sure if you try this it will prove useful. Happy you joined us today, my friend!
I love this! So often meditation is thought of as “new age” but it’s biblical. Reclaiming mediation the way God describes! Amen!
So glad to see you here, Becky! I’m secretly hoping that SEO will pull in some New Agers to find some truth! 🙂
Hey Kelly, This sentence resonated with me “No one else gets to decide what is on your mind but you.” And meditating is the perfect way to choose to put God and His Goodness on your mind!
Agreed, Neca! Thanks for joining the conversation today!