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"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and God saved them from their distress."
Psalm 107:19
PRAY
Prayer can be a grace-filled aid on your healing journey. It helps you to center when you are feeling overwhelmed by memories of abuse or by the stress of everyday triggers. It allows your body to relax so that your physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds may heal. Perhaps most importantly, it is a reminder that you are not on this journey alone. God is with you.
Here is a helpful prayer practice for anytime of day:
If you have just a few moments, bring your attention to your body. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice your breath. In and out. Breathe from your belly. In...and out. Take time to breathe, knowing you don't have to rush. In...and out. Choose a prayer phrase that brings you comfort or affirms your healing such as "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want." or "God is with me. I feel safe." Say this prayer phrase ten times as you breath. Pray the first line as you breathe in. Pray the second line as you breathe out. When you are done, take notice of any gentle shifts in your body. Do you feel a little more relaxed, focused, or peaceful? Thank God for being with you and close your prayer with an "Amen" or "Blessed be."
Monthly Reflection
DECEMBER 2020
"By waiting and by calm you shall be saved
in quiet and in trust shall be your strength."
-Isaiah 30:15
As you walk your healing journey, you may find yourself frustrated with the process. It never goes fast, you circle back over old wounds, old fears surface again and again. In these moments, it is helpful to remember that the healing journey, like the Christian journey, is a lifelong path.
I take comfort in this passage from Isaiah that reassures us that it is not with a fast pace that we will be saved, but if we go at our own pace, and with growing trust, we will find strength for the journey. May it be so!
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If you need some extra support, try calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network, or other resources that can be found here.