daily hope
Designed to Love
9 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Psalm 34:18 (recording quotes NLT). 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.
0:00You were designed to love.
0:05Maybe you've been hurt in the past and that makes it hard to love again.
0:12That's understandable.
0:15It's natural to feel this way.
0:19But remember, Jesus loves you just as you are.
0:25There's nothing you can do to change that.
0:31Okay.
0:33Let's begin by taking a few seconds to consciously relax the body.
0:45And when you're ready, allow your eyes to slowly close.
0:54Now, take a moment to consider this verse.
1:01"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
1:07He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." And again, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
1:25He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." With an easy awareness, bring your attention to the space in the room.
1:59Just noticing the space with an easy curiosity.
2:11Notice your place in the room.
2:20Feel the weight of your body in the chair.
2:30Feel the air on your skin.
2:39Listen to the sounds in the room.
2:45Maybe it's quiet in the room, maybe it's not.
2:51Both are okay.
3:03You're just listening and welcoming the sounds as part of the exercise.
3:16Not wishing to change the sounds, just accepting the sounds as they are.
3:35When it feels natural, slowly bring your awareness to the breath.
3:50Allow your breath to be a reminder to stay in this present moment.
4:05If your mind begins to wander, you can always come back to the feeling of the breath.
4:25Relax and let your body honor the natural calm that only comes from the presence of a loving God.
4:50With ease, bring your attention to the breath.
5:06Take a few nice deep breaths.
5:15Make them feel easy and effortless.
5:35Feel life enter your body as you breathe in, and then release your tension as you breathe out.
6:07Inhale.
6:10Feel how the body expands.
6:14Then slowly exhale, feeling the body fall.
6:33Feel the air as it travels in through the nose, and follow the air back out through the mouth.
6:50Allow each breath to soften the chest and relax the shoulders.
7:02Begin to scan the body from the head to the toe, relaxing the body piece by piece.
7:23There's no way to do this wrong.
7:39And now for a few moments, allow your mind to do what it wants to do.
7:50If it wants to think, then let it think.
7:57And if it wants to rest, then let it rest.
8:14Take this verse with you, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
8:24He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Allow your awareness to slowly come back to your body.
8:51And when it feels natural, begin to open your eyes.
8:59Sit back in your chair.
9:02Maybe you want to stretch a little bit.
9:05Do whatever feels good.
9:08Take a moment to notice how you feel.
9:13I hope you feel a little more relaxed.
9:17We'll see you again tomorrow for another day of hope.