By: Dr. Lynnette Simm
It’s Wednesday morning, and I’m listening to some soothing meditation music as I get my wiggles going. You know wiggles, those moments in bed that you hit the alarm, stretch your appendages and probably reach from you phone or tablet. It was at this moment that I reached for my phone and turned on the meditation music l love to wake up and sleep to that I read the title of the song playing: “Healing Meditation.” It just struck me the power of these two little words. Healing. Meditation. Let’s look at meditation first.
So many cultures teach us about the benefits of meditation, but what does it mean to mediate? A quick Google of the word brings up information about finding clarity, being mindful, becoming more calm and focused and finding peace. It’s important to understand that there is a difference between meditation and prayer. Mediation’s focus is to clear the mind and become present in the moment.
Upon further investigation, the Bible talks about meditation throughout Psalm. In scripture we are encouraged to meditate on the Lord. Psalm 19:14 even asks the Lord to “let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” We are asked in Matthew 6:26-30 and Luke 12:24-27 to let go of everything and be at peace for the Lord provides all to all. Also in Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of things to mediate on: “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.” When we take time to clear our minds and meditate on the presence of our Savior, we release all the negativity swirling around in our minds.
The goal of prayer, on the other hand, is to communicate with our Heavenly Father: to give thanks, to ask for help, to share love, to speak for others, to talk and to listen. Understanding that mediation is for releasing to God and prayer is for communicating, healing mediation is the opportunity to release pain, trust that God has us in His hands and allow healing. It is time for us to, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).
Healing. So many people say it’s the easiest thing to do. You just sit back and let healing happen. Unfortunately, healing takes hard work. With all types of pain, hurts and traumas, healing takes a constant application of balm, therapy and patience, regardless if the pain is physical or emotional. I have dealt with both debilitating emotional and physical trauma. With each hurt, I sought professionals to guide in my healing and to recommend the best medications and therapies. In addition to human professionals, I sought healing with the Lord. Our spiritual well-being is an integral part of healing. For hours, days, weeks and years I worked on my healing. Together with meditation and trusting in the Lord, I have been able to heal from many traumas. That is what came to mind for me when I heard the title “Healing Meditation.”
As spring begins the season of renewal, the time of growth and regrowth, we all have the opportunity to begin healing. Meditate on what is possible with God and what you need to grow healthier. You don’t need a new year or new month to begin again the work of healing. Each day is an opportunity to reach out and begin the multiple steps it takes to heal. I pray that as the Earth warms, so does your heart begin to warm with the possibilities of forgiveness, hope and joy.
Dr. Lynnette Simm, who earned degrees in psychology and education, has been an educator for nearly twenty years. She has worked in corporate training, taught from preschool to graduate school, written curriculum for all age groups, worked on college accreditation, and served as the general education coordinator at a private college. She has taught in public schools, community college, and private universities. Dr. Simm also worked on behalf of teachers as she created and facilitated professional development seminars. She has been a professional contributor and freelance editor for several books and is the author of And The Day Came, an inspirational memoir published in 2016.