For some time now, it is that one song that keeps on playing in your head. You hear it in your mind the moment you wake up, on your drive to work, and all through the day. You even belt it out in the shower, and even while cooking. Last song syndrome has been a phenomenon long before ear buds and digital music was invented.
Suppose that song is no longer on your mind and you find yourself alone in a solitary place, with no digital device whatsoever. What would be playing on your mind? What do you think of the last moment before your mind finally shuts down for the night, and in the morning before you hit the snooze button?
Today’s world has been doing a great job at drowning these thoughts. We are offered various ways to keep our mind from introspecting. While other people do it unconsciously because of the modern world’s distractions, others purposely seek the comfort of a distracted mind so that they could at least escape their anxious, regretful, and depressive thoughts. But is there a way out of this?
Science, time and again, comes up with solutions for obsessive rumination, anxiety, and fearfulness. Talk therapy and medication are no longer a taboo, since more and more people are seeking help. But not everyone receives the relief that they are expecting. They remain to be in that black hole, stuck in the thoughts they would rather not think about.
As present-day followers of Jesus, we are not exempt from difficulties and life challenges that could push us into that black hole of grief and depression. However, we have available within our reach the wisdom on how we can overcome these thoughts.
Psalm 63 was said to have been written during King David’s time in the wilderness. There, although his situation was blesk, He still chose to direct his thoughts on God’s goodness and faithfulness manifested in his life.
“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8
In the above passage, we can see that instead of allowing his fear to take over his mind, David held on to thoughts that he has someone powerful to rely on — and that is the Heavenly Father.
The Apostle Peter’s advice to the early Christians seem to align with this.In His letter to the early church, He encouraged those who are held captive by worrisome thoughts to surrender their worries to the Lord.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
When we let Jesus handle our worries, our burdens will be eased. And so once we surrender those grim and sad thoughts about our lives to the Lord, we then replace the sad thoughts with the truth that we have in Christ. Paul the Apostle encourages us to keep in mind things that highlight what’s good in our situation and in others.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
Let us also take a cue from the disciple John who consistently described himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” in his own version of the gospel. Like John, let us focus on God’s love for us, especially when we feel like we are stuck in a black hole. Let us meditate on the Lord’s promise to love and protect us. That even if we face difficulties and grief from time to time, all these are part of His great plan for us which will always be for our greater good and for His glory.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 63 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What are your current persistent thoughts? Are they pleasant or are they comforting to you?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for always, always assuring us of your graciousness and mercy. Thank you that you fill our lives with goodness that we can look back on, and you give us promises we can keep in our hearts. Amen.