Welcome to this Christian meditation for releasing stress and anxiety.
My name is Joy,
And I will be your guide today.
And we will be finding peace in God's presence.
As we begin.
Find it quiet.
Comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Allow your body to settle and soften.
Place your hands gently in your lap.
Or by your sides.
There is no need to hurry.
God is already here with you.
And he is bigger.
Than every worry.
Settle just a little bit deeper.
Relax just a little bit more.
Allow your body to be heavy.
Allow your body.
To soften.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose.
And exhale gently through your mouth.
Breathe in the calm of your Heavenly Father.
.
.
And breathe out the weight you've been carrying.
Again.
Inhale his peace.
And exhale the tension in your shoulders.
In your chest.
In your mind.
One more time.
Breathe in his nearness.
Breathe out and release any racing thoughts.
Beloved friend.
The Lord sees every storm inside of you.
Every storm affecting your body,
Your mind.
And your spirit.
He longs to bring you perfect peace.
Scripture reminds us in Philippians.
Do not be anxious about anything.
But in every situation.
By prayer and petition.
With Thanksgiving.
Present your requests to God.
And the peace of God.
Which transcends all understanding.
Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Your body,
Mind,
And spirit are connected.
And when anxiety rises.
It touches all three.
But the God of peace.
Can calm them all together.
Be kind and easy with yourself in this moment,
During this time.
Stress and anxiety take a real toll.
It's okay if your heart is racing.
Or your thoughts won't slow down.
Or your body feels tight.
You are not failing.
You're human.
And your father understands.
Jesus said in Matthew 11 verse 28 Come to me,
All who are weary and burdened,
And I will give you rest.
He specifically invites you to lay every worry at His feet.
Without guilt or shame.
Now bring your attention to your body.
Breathe in slowly.
And notice where you feel stress.
Maybe in your shoulders,
Your jaw,
Your stomach.
Breathe out and let God's presence loosen those places.
With every breath in.
Imagine his calming strength.
Flowing into your muscles.
Into your veins.
And into your nervous system.
Your body was not meant to carry endless tension.
The same Lord who calmed the wind and waves.
Says to your body.
Peace.
Be still.
Shift your focus.
To your mind and emotions.
Breathe in truth.
His truth.
Breathe out fear and all of the what-ifs you may be thinking.
Anxiety often floods the mind with tomorrow's troubles or yesterday's regrets.
But Jesus reminds us.
Therefore,
Don't worry about tomorrow.
For tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6 verse 34.
Give him this moment.
He is handling what feels too heavy for you alone.
Now let body,
Mind,
And spirit come into harmony in God's presence.
Breathe in hope.
And breathe out anxiety.
As you breathe.
Feel yourself sinking with the steady heartbeat given to you.
By your God.
Like a frightened child being held securely by a strong,
Loving father.
When you rest in him,
Stress loses its power because he is greater.
Psalm 27 verse 1 says,
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Remember,
He is your rock,
Your protector,
And your safe place.
Remember who he is.
The Prince of Peace.
He spoke peace to the stormy sea.
He stood with disciples in the boat and said,
Why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?
That same voice that calmed the wind can quiet the storm inside of you.
He is your strength when you feel weak.
He is your shelter.
When anxiety presses in.
Rest here in his presence for just a moment longer.
Breathe in his perfect peace.
And breathe out.
Every burden.
You carry.
Feel your body softening.
Just a little more.
Feel your mind quieting.
Feel your spirit lifting as you lean into the one who holds the universe in his hands.
And still cares for every detail of your life.
When you are ready,
Place one hand over your heart.
And whisper or pray.
Lord,
I give you my stress and anxiety.
Thank you for being my place of peace.
Guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
You are my rock,
My strength,
And my protector.
I choose to rest in your presence today.
Take one final breath in.
And release it so very slowly.
Allow your body to begin small movements.
And when you're ready.
Open your eyes gently.
Carry this truth with you.
The God who calms storms is holding you right now.
Your body,
Mind,
And spirit can find rest together in Him.
You are safe.
You are held.
Peace is yours in Christ.
Amen.
