The Beautiful Truth About Dwelling

My Experience with Dwelling

Dwelling has deeply and personally impacted me. I experienced a season during which it became a “guilty pleasure” to throw myself a pity party and surrender to my emotional impulses and mood swings. I didn’t recognize this at the time, but retrospectively reflecting on that season has led me to draw these conclusions. Selfish, worldly dwelling affected my relationship with the Lord because it minimized the hope I have in Him. The time I spent dwelling on sorrow was time I didn’t spend dwelling on God’s faithfulness. It likewise affected my attitude because I allowed my feelings to distract me from my responsibilities and values.

The feelings I experienced were painful and real, and I know from experience that ignoring and stuffing emotions is not the answer either. It can lead to physical sickness, depression, and passive aggressiveness. That being said, the following are three things I wish I would’ve heard and heeded sooner:

1. Surround yourself with people who will speak the truth over you. Sometimes this means someone with the compassion to tell you that you’ll be alright, and other times it means someone with the courage to remind you that self-pity, anxiety, or ______ are not edifying or Godly responses to what you’re going through. Voices of truth spoken in love are powerful weapons in seasons of doubt.

2. What we dwell on is a choice. While circumstances are often out of our control, our reactions to them are up to us. What do you allow to influence and control you?

3. The bible has a lot to say about our mind. The human mind is a powerful tool for both good and evil. Much of this article explores what biblical dwelling looks like.

What Is Dwelling?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to dwell can mean both “to remain for a time” and “to keep the attention directed on”. Psalm 4:8 is a well-known example of the former sense of the word, saying “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” The song Dwell by Aaron Keys is also a profoundly beautiful reflection on Psalm 91. While these are beautiful reminders of the Lord’s care for us, the bible also offers many insights on what believers are to keep their attention directed on. Ultimately, our faith should inform what we choose to dwell on.

Why Is Intentional Dwelling Important? 

Words are a powerful force, capable of inflicting inordinate evil and profound blessing alike. Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” While both spoken and written words have great influence, there is a third expression of words which though subtler, is highly impactful. What we think impacts what we say, and what we say is in direct correlation with how we act. (James 3:2b) (Matthew 15:18) We must be intentional because our allegiance cannot be divided between Heaven and Earth. (Matthew 6:24) May our minds as well as our mouths testify to our allegiance! (Psalm 19:14)

Matthew 16 is a biblical example of the power of mental dwelling. In this passage, Jesus begins to show His disciples that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected. At this, Peter rebukes Jesus, to which He responds,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.” But if we stop the quotation there, we miss a key point. As Jesus continues, He gives us an insight into what caused Peter to rebuke his omniscient Lord. The verse continues

“For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Peter was concerned for Jesus’s physical wellbeing but overlooked the bigger picture. What is perceived as correct in the eyes of the world may be revealed as evil in the perspective of heaven.

So, What Should We Set Our Mind On?

That depends on your values; Let me explain…

For anyone out there who aspires to live a life filled with death and hostility, Romans 8:5-7 advises setting your mind on things of the flesh. After all, the flesh does have a myriad of earthly appeals. However, the flip side of this coin is a mind set on the Spirit which leads to life, peace, and submission. Not only life on earth, but ultimately life in Heaven. Each day we are given is an opportunity for long term investment (think of it as a retirement fund)… What will be the eternal impact of your daily actions and meditations? (Matthew 6:19-21)

In becoming children of God, we gain a sanctified identity- the old passes away and we are made new! In taking on this new identity, we are called to emulate Christ, (1 John 2:6) and renewing our minds is one way of doing this. Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” So, renewing our minds is an aspect of living in biblical obedience. (See also, 2 Corinthians 10:5)

A Mental Utopia

  Ephesians 4:6-9 gives clear instruction to believers on what to dwell on. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We see twice in this passage a clear correlation between right-thinking and peace. Maybe this correlation is so strong because we live in a world of chaos, hurry, and stress. Yet we serve a God of peace, love, and rest. In my opinion, the aforementioned qualities are those of a mental utopia.

Set Apart

It baffles me that anyone would choose a life of anxiety, deceit, dishonor, injustice, and impurity, filled with what is horrid, lamentable, mediocre, and flawed. Yet this is the path many have chosen for varied reasons. Among these reasons is ignorance of another way. (Ephesians 4:17-19) This brings me to a result of biblical dwelling…

The renewal of our mind transforms us, and leads to peace. People notice peace, and often, people pursue peace. We choose this Way because it’s our sacrifice of worship, and in order to discern the will of God, (Romans 12:1-2) but a natural outcome of this path is that it stands out in stark contrast against the ways of the world. It tends to catch the attention of non-believers and can lead them to ask the question “How can I have peace like that?” Leading biblical lives is a way to be salt and light in our communities.

Final Thoughts

It is inevitable to live a life void of sorrow or pain, but we serve a God of redemption, capable of using every circumstance for our good and His glory. So how are you stewarding your pain? These following verses are beautiful reminders of our God’s faithfulness. Consider meditating on these verses in difficult seasons. I’ve given one verse, but please try to read these passages in context!

Matthew 5:3-12

Genesis 50:20

Romans 8:28

1 Corinthians 10:31

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

That’s all for now! Thank you for taking the time to read this, and let me know what you think in the comments below or contact me here!