January 30: Insight Post by David Schleyer
Friday Insight Post
by David Schleyer
This line from Psalm 19, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,” gets me because it goes deeper than behavior and makes me think about what is actually running through my mind on a normal day.
What I think about does not stay hidden. It leaks out in my tone before I even notice. In quick replies. In what I complain about. In how patient or impatient I am. When I am tired or stressed, whatever has been sitting in my thoughts all day is usually what comes out.
One way I check myself is with a simple question. Is my perspective grounded right now, or am I spiraling? When my thoughts are grounded, I am usually calmer, clearer, and more generous. When they are not, I get reactive, defensive, or negative pretty fast.
That is why focusing my mind feels so hard and so important. It is easier to replay worries, scroll bad news, or sit in frustration. But Philippians 4:8 reminds me that what I focus on is shaping who I am becoming, whether I realize it or not.
This month, studying meditation has helped me lock in on what is important. It has slowed me down enough to notice where my thoughts are going instead of just letting them run in the background.
So, instead of letting my thoughts run unchecked, I am trying to catch them more often. When I notice my perspective drifting, I pause and reset. Sometimes all I can manage is a short prayer like, God, help me see this clearly and stay grounded in what is true today.
I am learning that I do not need more noise. I need better focus. And when my perspective is grounded, my words and reactions tend to follow.
David Schleyer
Elementary Small Group Leader
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org