Holy in the Daily

Blog posts to help women over 50 face their challenges with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Get your 1st BURST OF CLARITY NOW.

Join over 800 women on my email list who applaud my FREE eBooks and refreshing, actionable lessons.

An Exercise In Practicing the Presence of God {Thursday Therapy}

Practicing the Presence of God on a post by Susan Gaddis

Ever have ugly moments in your life that dictate your inner dialogue, emotions, and, heaven help you, your reactions? Good. You’re normal.

So what does a nice, mature Christian do in such ugly moments?

Practicing the Presence of God

First of all, admit that you are having a ugly moment (or hour, or day, or month). You’re human. It’s part of the package. Have a good cry if it will make you feel better.

Next, observe your inner life. What are you thinking and feeling? Don’t get too introspective—just be an observer for a few minutes.

How would you label your actions? You know—your outer life—the one people have to live with—your sad, lonely, withdrawn, anxious, bitchy, freaked-out, or moody life?

Now, set that all mentally aside and focus on one thing: the God who created you loves you. This is the God who IS love. Absolute Love. The God who will overwhelm you with LOVE the moment you come face to face with him in Heaven.

Because that’s WHO HE IS—Love. He’s the One who surrounds you with Himself right now, even if you can’t feel him. He’s got you covered. You’re saturated in love. He is not going to let you go. Trust me.

Take a deep, slow breath in. And then exhale. Repeat several times. As you breathe in, think of yourself as breathing in Love. Tell yourself that you are loved by Love (God IS Love). Picture yourself filling up, surrounded by, and supported by Love.

When you exhale, the ugly leaves. It doesn’t like to be where Love lives.

Rest. Breath. Keep focused on Love. Rest. Breath. Don’t focus on the ugly. Rest. Breath.

Rinse and repeat for 15 minutes.

Allow yourself to be loved by the the One who IS Love. This is practicing the presence of God. It’s a great exercise for when the world seems out of control. Really.

Ready for more? See How to Let God Love You and How Calming Prayer Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety.

Take a few moments each day to practice the presence of God by doing this exercise. Even if there is no ugly in your life right now. Someday there will be. And you’ll be prepared. Because you know how to rest in the lap of the God who IS Love.

Have a great weekend, Susan

“Jesus likes it when we share.” -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody’s brother, but you know . . . all of your friends would be nice.

Sponsor:
Christian Gifts & Inspirational Home Decor

Share this post with your friends: 

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Moira Smith

    YES Susan!!!
    This ‘Thursday therapy’ is my DAILY therapy, cos I have to live in the knowledge that God ‘has my back’ !!!!

    I read the little book ‘Practising the Presence of God’ by Brother Lawrence years ago, and though it’s written not in modern lingo, his message ‘got to me’…….and I thought, this is where I want to ‘live’ regardless of what I’m doing, what I’m thinking or where I am…..that I’m totally aware that God is involved in my life ALL the time…..

    The funny thing is, that I cannot imagine how on earth I got through the first 33 years of my life, when all the dreadful stuff was happening…………without Him!!!!

    I can only ‘assume’ that he was there all the time…..I just didn’t know it……….NOW I DO…..

    1. Susan Gaddis

      Loved that book too, Moira. He makes it so simple. Thanks for sharing!

Leave a Reply