Tuesday - March 7, 2017

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
TUESDAY

 BIBLE READING:  Romans 8:1-11             

 F.O.C.U.S

 Free Your Mind:  Study after study shows the benefits of meditation. Websters dictionary defines meditation as “the engaging in a mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.” So many times, when we encounter challenges, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and to feel inadequate or inept to deal with them. It’s easy to panic and overreact, which tends to further complicate the original challenge. Oftentimes, however, that’s exactly what we do.

 For example, how many times have you been offended by someone, whether by the tone of their voice, the words spoken, or a look given? I imagine most of us can recall a relatively recent event. How did you respond? Did you respond immediately in a way that you later regretted, or did you count to 10? The idea of counting to 10 before responding simply allows time to focus, to free your mind of the original thoughts you had regarding your response, and to allow you to respond in a more appropriate manner.
  
Yet, in spite of all the daily challenges we face, we often neglect taking time to free our minds.  Morning, noon, and night, we each would benefit by taking time to free our minds. Romans 8:6 tells us, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” During the times we face challenges, do we look for help from within or from above? Do we turn those burdens over to God, or take them on ourselves? Taking the time to free your mind and to focus on the Spirit allows for peace in the time of storm.   

 Application: Discuss an occasion where someone offended you and how you could’ve responded better. Take time to meditate on things above, to free your mind, and to turn those challenges over to God.

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