daily hope
Letting Go of Expectations
10 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8 (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.
0:00Today, as you prepare to meditate, I encourage you to let go of your expectations of how you thought life was supposed to be.
0:13Holding on to the way things were supposed to be will prevent you from enjoying how things are.
0:23Letting go allows God to replace what you expected with something better.
0:34Go ahead and get comfortable in your position, really allowing the body to relax.
0:46And when you feel ready, let your eyes slowly close.
0:57Now, take a moment to consider this verse: "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
1:14He will be with you.
1:16He will neither fail you nor abandon you." And again, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
1:42He will be with you.
1:46He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Now, bring your attention to the way it feels when you breathe.
2:22Feel the stomach and the chest rise with each inhale.
2:32And feel the body relax with each exhale.
2:52In through the nose, feel the body expand, and then slowly exhale.
3:18Let the breath be natural.
3:22Let the breath naturally relax the body.
3:40Allow the face and the neck to soften.
3:56Allow the forehead to relax, and the shoulders to fall away from the ears.
4:14Relax the body, and allow the chair to hold the body up.
4:31Just relaxing, and letting the body unwind.
4:47Simply let go.
5:07Now, bring your awareness to the feeling of the body.
5:25Maybe there's some muscle tightness or stress lingering in the body.
5:45Slowly bring your attention to those areas of tightness and relax them piece by piece.
6:11Feel the weight of your body in the chair.
6:27As your body begins to relax, allow your mind to let go.
6:39Give yourself permission to start fresh.
6:57What is done is done.
7:01All you have is this moment.
7:17This is a safe place.
7:21Release your thoughts to God.
7:37When it feels comfortable, take a few nice, deep breaths.
7:58There's no way to do this wrong.
8:07If the thoughts take you away, that's okay.
8:12When it feels comfortable, bring your awareness back to the feeling of the breath.
8:35Take this verse with you.
8:39Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
8:50He will be with you.
8:54He will neither fail you, nor abandon you.
9:13Gently bring your awareness back to the feeling of the body.
9:19Notice the weight of the body on the chair, and when you feel ready, allow your eyes to open, and take a nice, deep breath.
9:33Notice how your breath changes the way you feel.
9:38I hope you feel a little more in touch with God.
9:44We'll see you again next time, with hope, mindfulness, and prayer.