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. 

My Voice

My voice is mighty, although you do not always hear it. It is powerful enough to mend your broken heart. It is resounding enough to cover the extent of your concerns. My voice rises above the waters, – ALL waters, – whether they are peaceful and still or rising with torrential waves. Stop. Listen. I call you to recognize first and foremost how much you are LOVED. Dip your toes in this soothing water, hearing My blessed reassurance. Turn to face Me, and find that I accept you as you are. Once you do this, listen for My call to guide you into the day. It may be a simple message, or I may ask for bold and courageous action. Either way, you are fully Mine and I am yours. 

God Can Take It

Posture yourself in such a way that you can remove distractions. Physically place your feet on the floor, and imagine them embedded in My word. If anything is uncomfortable, simply take note and acknowledge it, picturing Me receiving it. Physical discomforts, emotional distress, thoughts, concerns, worries…pile it on Me. I can take it, – all of it. Petty annoyances, too. It is these things that cloud your mind and weigh down your shoulders. I want to help lift the weight of the world off of you. I want your wellness, your balance; I need your right-focus. As you hand these items to Me, clear your mind to recognize My guidance. Breathe. Really, – breathe deeply and find calmness settling in. No matter what the day has in store, I am ready for you, and I am readying you for it, as well. Steady yourself this way as I equip you to deal with whatever comes your way. 

Turn the Handle

I give you this day.  Notice Me in it.  Something will speak to you – perhaps in a bird’s song, in the quiet & stillness, or maybe through a voice speaking words you long to hear.  Listen for Me.  Look for Me.  Beauty is all around if you take time to get the right perspective.  I know your pains, your worries.  I AM attending to them, you can rely on that with certainty.  You can still find peace, even when all does not seem “right”, by focusing on TRUST in My Goodness and My help.  Ever constantly, I stand at your door waiting for you to turn the handle to open it.  I AM there.  I will wait.

The Grand Scheme

Take a big breath in.  Hold it. Then release it, slowly, breathing your anxieties and troubles out. Breathe in LIGHT, goodness, peace.  Breathe out worries, restlessness, anger, sadness, fear.  Do this repeatedly in a quiet space until you can clear the way to sensing My Presence behind your closed eyes.  So little of what you fret about really matters in the grand scheme of things.  I don’t mean to say that your worries and frustrations are not important to me. Heavens no! But I am trying to teach you that My Peace is here for you more readily than you may be allowing it to be. Remove your clutter of needless or trivial details.  I long to help you purge yourself of dark thoughts, and instead fill the well of your soul with refreshing waters of encouragement, forgiveness, and love.  My love is dazzling!  My waters are pure, clean, holy – and always available for you to wash away your dark, hurt, angry, hurtful, worried, retaliatory thoughts.  My ways are LIGHT; full of GOODNESS.  Let Me help you push away the darkness that clouds your head and heart. Bring those troubles to Me, and leave them with Me.  Then, go to My well and have your fill.

Constant Companion

I hear your struggle.  I AM with you, – your constant companion.  Time alone with Me is good.  Do not feel bad about wanting that.  I am yours any time of day, any place…in the solitude and in a crowd.  Whisper My name.  Breathe in My calming presence. Squeeze My hand tightly and be ASSURED I hear you and see you, and wish to bring you comfort.  You can be grateful for that, and be strong against the winds of distraction.  Stand firm upon My rock. As you face that blustering wind, know that you need not fear or doubt your strength because I AM IMMEDIATELY and CONSTANTLY with you. Just don’t let go of My hand, and keep your eyes on Me.  TRUST Me. Confidence is yours to hold. Behold My strength as your constant companion and refuge.  You are worthy of My love simply because I made you. 

Inclusion

You are a LIGHT to others.  Don’t recede into darkness, or separateness.  Your gift is inclusion; – reaching out to others who can’t always reach back.  Many aren’t good at reaching beyond the awkwardness of mistakes.  If I have taught you nothing else, it’s how to stand strong and move forward.  Now I need you to hear Me calling you even deeper.  I am reaching into your soul. You have a purpose here: a rich, meaningful purpose. Others look to you for leadership – they always have.  Your leadership is one of inclusion, purpose, compassion.  In the past you were hurt because you “felt” excluded, yet you weren’t.   Yours is the leadership in that arena.  Yours is that gift – to be welcoming, outgoing.  I will bless that.  Let My waves of Grace and Glory wash over you now.  Rest, trustingly cradled in My arms, as I renew you and restore your broken Spirit.  I am big enough to do just that! You are meant to be included, as well. 

You Belong

I equip you.  I equip you.  I equip you!  I, in all My might and majesty, have called you to these places. See what wondrous things are being done! You make people feel special, and I need your presence doing what comes naturally to you.  Pray.  Come to Me when you feel anxious; see that I don’t judge you nearly as hard as you judge yourself.  Know that you belong to Me. “You belong” means you are LOVED, WELCOMED, secure, WANTED.  You “fit”. I care about you, and long for you to be with Me all hours of the day.  REMAIN WITH ME at all times.  It is when you are fretting and punishing yourself that you have your back to me – all you need to do is turn and run into My arms, which are outstretched and waiting to encompass you. Let Me caress away your fears as a loving, tender, reachable parent.  I am tender, kind, and fun. Laugh with Me today.  See Me all around you in the joy and love outpouring everywhere.  You are all part of My great circle of love. Enjoy this belonging.

My Good

You are My faithful servant.  Serve for ME, – My Good.  My Good is when you touch the lives of others – in a passing hello, in more attentive conversations, or in working together on complicated activities.  My Good abounds – everywhere! Take some of it in today. I give My Good for YOU, too. I’m not a demanding God who only asks you to serve serve serve.  Today you can receive.  Any day, you can receive My Good; it’s not selfish to do so.  I think you forget that, and that’s where the “it’s not enough” anxiety filters in.  Insulate yourself against this by taking time with Me daily, absorbing My gifts to you in the form of rest, quiet time, help from others, and gifts from others.  You are talented – so talented, but you are only one person.  Others are okay with this – they don’t expect nearly as much out of you as you think or try to meet up to.  “Less is More”. You are allowed to DO less in order to be replenished more.  I do not ask for your weariness.  I ask you to bring joy, and in order to do so you must receive it, so fill your own well first with My Living Water.  Receive My Joy today so that My Good can be accomplished.  Let it surprise you with how easy it is to find, and how satisfying it is.  

One Thing

You are anxious and worried about many things. One thing only is required. Do you remember the One Thing? Follow Me. Stop worrying about what others will think. Cut back on guilt and resentment. Give with joy and do the things you LOVE; this will bring goodness. This might include taking on a new venture, perhaps, and others may like a chance to get involved, with your invitation. Free up time for friendship. I call you to a time of peace, healing, and renewal. Be gentle with yourself; be gentle toward others. Bask in my Goodness around you as you focus on following My lead for your day’s activity.