daily hope
Focus Shapes Everything
9 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 (recording quotes MSG). The linked Bible reader uses the World English Bible.
Meditation transcript
Transcript of the recording. Scripture translation labels describe the translation quoted in the audio.
0:00Everything depends on your perspective.
0:04Your perspective is created by what you're focusing on.
0:09If you focus on the world, your heart will be distressed.
0:15If you focus on yourself, your heart will be depressed.
0:21But if you focus on God, your heart will be at rest.
0:29Okay, go ahead and get comfortable in your position, really allowing the body to relax.
0:42And when you feel ready, let your eyes slowly close.
0:53Now, take a moment to consider this verse, "Those who wait on the Lord get fresh strength.
1:05They spread their wings and soar like eagles." And again, "Those who wait on the Lord get fresh strength.
1:25They spread their wings and soar like eagles." Now, bring your awareness to the feeling of the body.
1:55Maybe there's some muscle tightness or stress lingering in the body.
2:08Slowly bring your attention to those areas of tightness and relax them piece by piece.
2:28Feel the weight of your body in the chair.
2:38As your body begins to relax, allow your mind to let go.
2:52Give yourself permission to start fresh.
3:04What is done, is done.
3:08All you have is this moment.
3:20This is a safe place.
3:24Release your thoughts to God.
3:40When it feels comfortable, take a few nice, deep breaths.
3:52Inhale, feel the chest rise, and exhale, feel the chest fall.
4:09There's no way to do this wrong.
4:17If the thoughts take you away, that's okay.
4:23When it feels comfortable, bring your awareness back to the feeling of the breath.
4:48Let's take a few nice, deep breaths.
5:02Allow your breath to fill the body up, and then relax with each out breath.
5:22With each new breath, allow the chest to open and the body to relax.
5:42Let go of any tension in your body.
5:50Just focus your attention on the breath.
5:58Deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
6:14And when it feels comfortable, begin to count the breath, one on the inhale, and two on the exhale, three on the next inhale, and four on the next exhale,
6:41counting up to 10, and then starting over again.
7:06Now, let go of the counting and bring your attention to the sound of your breathing.
7:22Just a nice soft focus on the air coming in and the air going out.
7:42Just relaxing and releasing.
7:57Allow your awareness to rest with the breath.
8:14Take this verse with you, "Those who wait on the Lord get fresh strength.
8:24They spread their wings and soar like eagles." Softly, begin to bring your awareness back to the body, back to that feeling of weight in the body.
8:52And when you're ready, slowly open your eyes and take a big deep breath in.
9:01Take a moment to check in and notice how you feel.
9:07I hope you feel a little more present.
9:11We'll see you again tomorrow for another day of hope.
9:16Take care.