Welcome,
Dear one.
Our focus today is the truth you are protected.
Anxiety can steal our joy,
Yet knowing that we are safe and in good hands allows us to see with gratitude life's blessings in the here and now.
It enables us to trust good things are coming.
Sit back,
Listen,
And engage with the Spirit as you feel God's protection cover you.
Let's begin.
Have you ever been caught in a spiral of worry or anxiety?
Perhaps you have felt like you or your child's safety or well-being was under threat.
Feelings of worry or anxiety are common,
Especially in motherhood.
Raising children triggers that mama bear instinct in us to protect our young and keep them safe.
It's natural.
It can be hard to feel safe with all that is happening in our world today.
One in five women reports struggling with postpartum anxiety in the first year of motherhood.
If you have anxious feelings,
You are not alone.
And if those feelings come to the point of overwhelm,
Help is on the way.
In God,
We can find the assurance of protection to feel safe again.
We can loosen the grip of those anxious thoughts and step under the shadow of His wing.
God wants to affirm and reassure you right now.
1 Peter 5 verse 6 and 7 says,
Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand,
That He may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on Him,
Because He cares for you.
Sometimes,
When life overwhelms us,
We need divine help.
Take a moment now to breathe deep,
Centering breaths.
Breathing in and breathing out as you repeat this affirmation.
When I am afraid,
I trust in you,
God.
We will be saying,
When I am afraid,
On the in-breath.
And,
I will trust in you,
God,
On the out-breath.
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
God.
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
God.
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
God.
Let's open ourselves up through prayer.
God,
In the book of Joshua,
You reminded the Hebrew people in exile such an essential truth.
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be discouraged.
For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
God,
Again and again,
You reassure us of your abiding presence.
You are with us.
You are with us even in those dark days and nights of uncertainty.
Help us to feel your nearness right now.
Isaiah 41 10 says,
Do not fear,
For I am with you.
Do not be dismayed,
For I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Hold us,
God.
Lift our heads to look into your eyes of love.
To see your care over our lives and the lives of our children.
To see your mighty strength to save and protect and shield.
I invite you to gently cross your arms over your chest,
Resting your hands on the opposite arm,
Giving yourself a gentle relaxed embrace.
Physically bringing attention and awareness to the center of your body.
The place that symbolizes protection.
Let this truth take root in you in this tangible way.
Feeling the warmth of your shielding embrace,
Lock in these truths.
I am safe.
I am protected.
I am safe.
As you listen to this next passage,
Let that truth root itself even deeper.
Psalm 91 4 says,
God will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge.
His faithfulness will be your shield.
And in verse 14,
God replies,
Because you love me,
Says the Lord,
I will rescue you.
I will protect you,
For you acknowledge my name.
You call on me and I will answer you.
I will be with you in time of trouble.
I will deliver you and honor you.
With long life I will satisfy you and show you my salvation.
What a wonderful grace to be kept safe and secure under the shadow of God's wing.
Feel yourself covered with a blanket of protection right now.
Feel a warmth come over you.
Mama,
You are safe.
Allow your hands to gently fall to your lap as you receive whatever it is you need from God now.
Whatever you need for this day.
Picture in your mind the mighty arms of God wrapping around you like a shield of impenetrable protection.
Growing stronger as you receive.
Stay here as long as you need and whenever you feel like you have received what's needed,
You may end this practice.
