I invite you to join me on a gratitude meditation focused on Psalms 23.
One of the benefits of being gracious and appreciative or thankful is that it decreases anxiety in our lives.
When we focus on what we have,
As opposed to what we don't or what we wish we had,
We actually find that place of contentment where our hearts can rest.
I invite you to get comfortable in whatever position that is for you.
If you'd like,
You can close your eyes and take a slow deep breath,
Letting go of any tension.
Feel yourself sinking onto the surface that you're resting on,
Becoming still,
More comfortable,
And relaxed.
Take another slow deep breath and release all of your thoughts,
Letting them drift far away.
Take another slow deep breath and know that in this moment,
All is well.
Settle in to the relaxing sound of the music and breathe in God's favor,
His perfect rest and peace.
All of these things he's designed and given to you,
They are yours.
Visualize if you will,
A doorway in front of you that takes you into a spiritual realm where there's just you and God.
As you open the door,
You are aware of your many physical blessings.
You're able to take time and notice all of the emotional and spiritual blessings also that God has given to you.
You see them as packages or presents and some of them aren't even opened yet.
But you know that they're there.
And as we begin to look at Psalms 23,
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Just focusing on those two verses.
Take a moment and just thank God for his perfect supply of everything that you need,
That he satisfies our soul.
Thank him now for giving us just those things that will keep us from falling and keep us protected even from ourselves.
Know that he has given you perfect rest,
Refreshment and restoration.
Take a moment now and just breathe in those beautiful gifts given.
There's nowhere else that you need to be and nothing else that you need.
For our God has supplied all of your need according to his riches and glory.
And now know that he has given you a perfect path,
Giving you that guidance to help direct you into more and more abundance.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me into paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea,
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil for thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff,
They comfort me.
The perfect protection we have,
Companionship in him.
We can fully trust,
Fully rest knowing that this battle isn't ours and that God has a perfect end for us that's good.
Now begin to think about the provision that's laid before you,
Knowing all this that God has for you.
You may not see it directly yet.
It might be wrapped still in those gifts that you have yet to open.
But before you,
There is only goodness.
There is favor,
Kindness,
And mercy.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil and my cup renteth over.
Literally goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
You can even thank him now for future blessings and that just illustrates your faith and confidence in him.
It's that faith that moves God,
Not our asking or worrying or stress.
You have everything you need and if you need to trust him more or to find this rest,
Simply ask.
He's freely giving it to you.
When you're ready,
Picture yourself getting back up and going back through that door that you came in,
But this time know that you are carrying with you the peace,
The reassurance,
And the appreciation and thankfulness for everything that God has.
Gather up some of those gifts that are available and take them back knowing that you can cross back over into the spiritual realm whenever you're ready.
Take a moment and just thank God for this peaceful place that he's given you.
Thank him for his provision,
Protection,
And plan.
Take a deep breath and exhale as you open the door and walk back in.
Simply bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings,
Taking your time,
And when you're ready open your eyes and feel refreshed and restored.
Simply plus.
You
