Take it easy…easier than you have been. Look for moments to savor, and find momentary peace and relaxation in them. I love you! I will never abandon you. Though the world feels like it has or may forsake you, I haven’t, and I won’t. You are wrapped in My robes. I hold you close. I will give you the words you should say when the time comes. My Will shall be done, and I work miracles. You will profoundly impact others. When you face scary and hard situations, I will surround the room you enter in LIGHT and My power will fill the air. Nothing can stand against it! Breathe in this strength, and you will find it easier to be able to exhale love into the world.
guidance
Already Pleased
How I long for you to stop being so preoccupied with making a good impression. I want to say “Stop! Hear Me!” Hear Me calling and realize I am already with you, already holding you…already pleased with you. You are My brave soldier, My compassionate healer, My present one, — tending My sheep so well. I am truly happy with you! Let your confidence rest in that, and know that no task is insurmountable. No issue is too great for you to handle now. My ways, My plans have no boundaries and miracles are continuing to occur even in your new place. Your goodness is known; stop questioning that. Remember how pleased I am with you, and walk into the day with head held high, knowing your goodness is intact.
Proceed
Picture Me in the room with you, right here, right now, – and even in the places I send you today or tomorrow, for I AM. Know that I am always with you, and all-powerful. Only My opinion matters. I have begun a good work in you and will bring it to completion. I am with you in all of it, so you can stop worrying. You make a difference in the lives of others. Proceed into this new year with confidence, knowing My Holy Spirit is your guide and your shield. No one else has power over you. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You are a person of great integrity, and nothing can or will take that away. You can be at peace, show love, and then get some rest. Leave what remains up to Me. I am more powerful than anything that scares or worries you. Recall that I split the waters so that the troubled and persecuted people could walk through, escape, and move on. Picture Me splitting the waters and making way, protecting you in all of it. Proceed!
You Are Needed
A loving, devoted follower looks like you, too. I need you. Choose to believe Me, and envision this! It’s okay to have opinions, and I’ve given you a humble, Godly voice. Show your willingness to voice them and act upon them as a leader among My people. Are you surprised that I’ve chosen you to lead? Don’t be. You are equipped to be a strong leader for many reasons: first, you care, and are passionate and diligent in your follow-through. Second, you listen well, grasping needs with clarity and sensitivity. People value your opinions because they know you have good intentions. Some may seem surprised or intimidated by the strength of your word and your presentation. My Grace will help soften those edges, but it requires that you turn to Me for help, and trust Me to make the moves. Don’t be discouraged by ruffled feathers. Time makes those settle back into place. Do My work to make amends where needed. You are needed, and you are loved. This is the truth that you must hold on to with confidence as you walk into new endeavors in the days ahead. Don’t forget: I am with you always. I listen. I prompt. I nudge. I hear. Seek My words of Grace to come through you, in you, and with you. A new year ahead: calling you to help build My kingdom.
Talk to Me
Asking for Me to talk to you is not weird, or ‘just magical thinking’. I am your Creator, and it’s natural and good to communicate with me often and fluidly. I want words and thoughts to flow easily and genuinely between us. My love for you is REAL. Our connection is true and valid. Prayer is not a fake thing. Try it again, if you haven’t done it in a while. Stop the worldly pace long enough to be still, and know that I am God. I want to calm your anxious thoughts, and soothe your worried mind. I want to listen and help soften your edges. I know the big picture of your life. Bring your thoughts to Me, – every one of them. I am here! Learn to recognize that I am listening, always. Listen for My voice, and learn to recognize My love and tenderness for you. Seek Me with all your heart, and find Me already with you. You don’t have to face the world alone. Talk to Me about it. Listen, and watch for evidence of My reassuring response to you. I am a trustworthy confidant.
Tag Along
True contentment lies in your relationship with Me. There is no such thing as spending too much time with Me. Yes, you must go about your day, but I can accompany you in your every activity, and converse with you all the while. Bring me with you, -conscientiously! Let Me be a “tag along”, if you will. You might be surprised at how useful I am! I can pluck you out of the mire of things that cause you tension, annoyance, and worry. Like a hidden but handy life-preserver, reach for Me when the waters around you start to seem deep. Find comfort in the way I sustain your head above water. Nothing will be too much for you to handle when you learn to rely on my ever-saving Presence. I am here for you, – ALL DAY; every day.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
Why are you always so down on yourself? It breaks My heart hearing you ridicule yourself with berating comments in your head so often. I truly do not want you to be riddled with self-demeaning thoughts like that. Try a little gentleness. Be gentle and tender toward your heart, and cut yourself some slack. You deserve My love, forgiveness, and kindness just as much as the next person: FULLY. It’s okay to weep around Me as you release those hurtful thoughts and wounds. Let me lavish you with love and praise for all of your true worth. Allow Me to help. Ask Me to assist you with creating a kinder self-image; the one I created and intended for you! Let Me implant supportive thoughts to replace your self-berating ones. I love you so much! More than you can believe right now, but that’s okay. My love is here for you whenever you need it: daily, hourly, moment by moment. Tread lightly on that tender heart of yours, for you are Mine, and you are Good.
Lighten Up
Find something to make you laugh, or at least chuckle about, today. Anything, – except negative or destructive humor. You could use a little lightening up! Being so serious all the time can weigh you down. It weighs Me down just to see your furrowed brow. I notice how hard you are concentrating, giving evidence to the pressures you carry. I so desire to change your outlook. Let Me brighten the view for you. Think back to some place or experience that made you smile or belly laugh. Try to recall what your face looks like when deep laughter takes over. I am still a playful and joyful God, you know. When you find yourself under a heavy blanket of grief, depression, responsibility, or anxiety, I will rest there with you; – but I still call My people to places, moments, and glimpses of joy. Laughter equals the sound of hopefulness. Seek this lilting sound somewhere in your day. Be that ray of hope for others, even if all you can muster up is a half-smile. That’s a start. I am truly a God of hope, with the promise of Goodness to arise out of ashes. Join Me, if you can, in a moment of giddiness to ease and delight your Spirit.
I’ve Got This
You don’t need to be so afraid. I’ve got this. The day ahead may have unanticipated pressures, but I already know about them and how, together, we will resolve them. Move with Me, deliberately and intentionally aware of My companionship and might. With confidence, speak holy words of wisdom and thoughtfulness around others. When things come up and stressful tension starts to rise, pause, close your eyes, and envision My loving face reminding you, “I’ve got this.” I will help you figure out answers, responses, and next steps. Before you know it, the day will come to a close. All which needs to be addressed or accomplished will have been taken care of for this day by My Grace, and the rest is meant for another day. Pause often. You need Me, and you will find Me already in your midst.
Down a Notch
Why are you so hurried all the time? The pace you drive is not always helpful or important. Teaching yourself to slow down would be a good thing, for it allows My hand to be more at work in your life. When you are rushed from place to place or activity to activity, it becomes too easy to overlook that which is essential in the moment. It also builds anxiety and stress, and My ever-present call to you is for peace. Bring life down a notch, even in the middle of this busy holiday season, purposefully. See how much more aware you become of needs, and of My brilliance surrounding you. You can then respond accordingly. Take secret pleasure in recognizing this spiritual accomplishment. My ways are not the world’s ways.