I had a hard time falling asleep and woke up being hard on myself. As I ate my breakfast, I was surrounded by my worries. Instead of songs of deliverance surrounding me like the Psalmist wrote about, my mind was filled with a noisy parade of troubling thoughts — regrets over what I wasn’t doing well, relationships that had turned hurtful, and indecisions tearing at my soul.
Why was I thinking about things I had no control over? I lectured myself. Stop worrying! What’s wrong with you?
I was beating myself up, and it wasn’t even 10 a.m. I prayed and read Scripture, but my heart didn’t feel right.
I tried to forget my troubles by getting things done and going through my checklist. On the outside, all was good, but being hard on myself to get over it wasn’t what I needed. I’ve learned through my journey of healing through depression and anxiety that what my heart needed was God’s kindness and gentleness. What restores our souls are His whispers of rest.
The world teaches us to deal with troubled hearts by networking with people of influence to cover up our insecurities or by accomplishing goals so our weaknesses don’t get the better of us. But God’s way of restoring the soul is very quiet: real experiences of beauty, gentleness, and kindness. We need to take time to take care of our emotional needs in ways that uniquely restore and refresh us. We all need soul care.
Later in the afternoon, I drove out to my favorite trail and stood quietly by the creek, listening as the water bubbled over the pebbles. Without any words, I felt God’s gentle love hold my heart. My soul exhaled, and as the sun warmed my heart again, I heard God tenderly whisper, “It’s okay. I understand.”
God understands you. He understands me. Whatever you’re going through, Jesus whispers, “You’re never too much for me.” Jesus draws you closer to love you.
It was in this quiet place of beauty that my heart opened up, and I shared my honest feelings with God — not to solve them but to confide in Him. Beauty in nature does that for me. It soothes me and gives me permission to know it’s okay not to be okay.
It was only there by the creek, only after I took the steps to enjoy something beautiful to refresh me, that my heart experienced God’s songs of deliverance.
What helps you experience beauty and God’s gentleness? Is it music, painting, a walk among the trees, or something else? You can reduce stress and recover better from daily stress by simply taking a walk down a tree-lined street with God. One Glasgow University study found the positive effects of walking in a park or a trail for people suffering from depression and anxiety was twice as good as a trip to the gym for mental well-being!
Many times, we try to lecture ourselves out of a tough situation, but God’s gentle voice is always found in places of quiet beauty and intimacy.
Gentleness is a quality that God has an unending supply of to water your soul and nurture you through tough hours, and soul care — taking actions that nurture your spirit — connects you to God’s gentleness. His gentleness shows us that His presence is near and reminds us that we are precious, beloved, and valued.
Your right hand upholds me. Your gentleness makes me great.
Psalm 18:35 (NASB)
God longs to hold your hand, but for faith to blossom, you must sow that seed of faith by taking action to experience God’s gentleness. Don’t wait for others to give it to you. Start practicing soul care as your personal act of faith.
How is your heart feeling? Are you being hard on yourself today? Close your eyes, open your heart. See the love in God’s eyes. Hear God whisper:
You don’t have to hurry ahead
when I’m right here with you.
Nothing can separate you from My love.
Not even your worries.
I love you irrevocably.
You are my treasure.
Prioritize your emotional well-being. Don’t be too busy to let God love you. My journey to heal from anxiety and depression has taught me each of us can de-stress and find beauty again by practicing simple soul care with God, no matter what we’re going through.
So be gentle with yourself because God’s love is gentle.
Thank you, Bonnie, for gentle words that mirror the gentleness of our Savior. When I really listen to my own internal dialogue sometimes, I have to stop and remind myself that I would never talk that way to a friend. It’s comforting to remember that when I’ve reached the end of my rope with my own frustrating and annoying tendencies, God still has plenty of rope.
Oh Michele…I read your comments daily and am always so moved by them…..but wow, picturing God with unlimited supplies of rope when I’m at the end of mine! What a visual! I needed this today!
Well, Melinda, you have just made my day!
It’s good for us to come back to the truth (all the time) that God’s resources (and patience!) are unlimited. Blessings to you, today, as we are both on borrowed rope!
Thanks for sharing your encouragement from your own tender heart and journey, Michele. Our internal dialogue is a vulnerable place that is wrapped in God’s love and safety.
I find myself in a situation I didn’t ask for, dealing with issues that bring nothing but condemnation and pressure. It’s been so hard. My wake-up call to the stress came when I had a physical last year and my numbers were all out of normal ranges. I knew I had to start prioritizing my health and find a place to handle the stress so that it didn’t consume all my thoughts. I’m still working on that. I still wake up in the middle of the night with an acid stomach and churning worry. But recently I started to take an hour early in the morning to run and walk. Sometimes I listen to an audiobook. Sometimes I try to hear the birdsong over my own thoughts. I also began taking yoga (nothing funky, just beginner stuff w/ a Christ focus). The restorative class has been conditioning me to be still physically and mentally. These are moments of peace to be still with the Lord, to praise him, to cry out to him. I have to retake a physical this fall for an upcoming surgery, and I’m hopeful that I’ve made progress for my health. As for the stressful situation, it’s a day to day thing that I’m hoping will reach conclusion soon. Thank you for this beautiful reminder of God’s gentleness.
Courtney – loved hearing your heart! And thankful He led you to self care and finding ways to give Him opportunity to just love on your heart! It’s sometimes not the beginning of crisis but it’s the learning how to live with the crisis long term in our new normal that can take the toll on our overall health and well being. Keep letting Him love on you and don’t let the enemy make you feel badly for taking that time! You are worth it!
HI Courtney, It’s so awesome that you took so many different actions when you got results of your physical exam! I think you’ll LOVE my devotional Whispers of Rest, if you are looking for an encouraging devotional to cheer you on your soul care and self care, . Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, a loving word and it gives you a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of REst in the fall, if you’re interested.) You are courageous! It shows that you are allowing yourself grace, to take care of yourself, as God would want to do if He were in person with you! 🙂 Loving yourself is an act of faith, with Jesus in a new way of letting Him love us. Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable testimony of how God is walking with you in your current chapter of healing! You can do this! Nothing is impossible with God’s love for you and with you!
Thank you Bonnie. This was exactly what I felt God whispering to my soul this morning. And then to read this devotional was such confirmation of his urges for me to rest and care for my emotional well-being. Thank you
Thanks, Sarah for sharing so open heartedly! I’m so happy the God’s loving words in today’s devotional spoke to you! If you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your soul care and self care,I think you’ll LOVE my devotional Whispers of Rest, Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, a loving word and it gives you a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested.)
Thank you for the reminder. The greatest gift I received from Him was peace. I find that the world is so loud I don’t take time to remember it. Sometimes just sitting in a sunny spot in my yard with my dog is all it takes. I just need to do as you say and make it a priority. If there is no rain of joy in me the seeds I want to plant won’t grow.
I absolutely love this – ” If there is no rain of joy in me the seeds I want to plant won’t grow.” That’s great and so very true!
What a beautiful thought – Sandy! “If there is no rain of joy in me, the seeds I want to plant won’t grow” – May God’s loving whispers of rest continue to water your soul today!
Thank you for this reminder of our treasure chest to open as often as we choose. I felt my eyes tear up because your truth touched my soul to both agree and set me free. A dear friend once told me to be gentle with myself, but that takes action and practice, and I wasn’t used to that pattern. But the saying that targeted my heart even more in your message, outstanding by the way, was…
“Don’t be too busy to let God love you.”
For me as well, don’t be so distracted that you miss His loving you.”
Make time for God, go to Him often, talk with Him, cry with Him, and he comforted by Him, as only He can be the lifter of your head, the lover of your soul, the restorer in balancing the life he gave you. Run as a little child to daddy, tell your closest friend Jesus, and trust the holy spirit to change the ungodly ways into beauty.
We do carry a wonderful and powerful treasure chest around.
Dear Lynn, it’s beautiful to hear that tears were shed, like fresh spring rain watering your soul. You *are* a beautiful treasure in God’s loving hands holding yours. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably with us in this community. Since you mentioned the whispers I captured in today’s devotional touched your heart, I think you’ll love my devotional Whispers of Rest, which offers a loving whisper from God based on Scripture to refresh your heart. Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God from Scripture, along with a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested.)
I’m so broken right now both physically and mentally. I feel as though I’m trying hard to reach God but the veil has not been torn. I’ve always handled it myself but I can’t this time. I know He is there all around me but I feel I’m in a tornado looking up with all this stuff flying around me and I’m confused and sad.
Lisa,
I’m sorry you’re hurting but let me encourage you…God is always, always with you and WILL NEVER LEAVE! All you have to do is talk to Him and He hears every cry, every prayer! He never wanted you to handle ANYTHING yourself because His Word tells us to cast our care on Him. (1Peter5:7) That’s EVERYTHING; that’s invitation! You said “you know He is there all around” so…don’t let the “but” change that! Let the stuff fly and you stay focused on who He Is in the midst of it all. The confusion is coming from the author, who’s NOT GOD! (1Cor.14:33) Satan is trying to keep you in a place where you will remain sad, down, depressed, and everything else completely opposite of where God wants you. He can’t win unless you give in/give up. Don’t do it! Jesus already won and gave you The Victory! Decide…will you get up and receive it, walk it? I hope so! Oh and remember, the veil has already been torn by Jesus, so you don’t have to!! (Matthew 27:51) lol Let’s praise Him together!! Did I tell you, I’m hurting and broken too? BUT GOD!
Lord Jesus, we know you are right there with Lisa sharing in her pain and tears and grieving with her. Will you please show your love in a tangible way to Lisa today? I pray for comfort, peace, joy, wisdom and discernment. Amen
Dear Lisa, your heart is overwhelmed, since you share that your body and your emotions feel so frayed, weary and broken. Give yourself grace. This is a time to really be gentle with yourself and do things that are healing for body and help nurture your emotions to a place of peace and comfort. I’m so sorry that you’re hurting. During this time of confusion, it’s so important to let someone into the tornado that you’re caught under right now. It’s not your fault that you’re caught in a tornado and you need the loving heart and hands to listen to all that’s surrounding you. May I pray for you? Dear Lord Jesus, reassure Lisa that you are with her. You’ll never leave her. You’ll be faithful to see her through. I pray that as Lisa reads this, she’ll feel your calming and strong arms holding her, through the words of this prayer. I pray you’ll bring to her mind just one friend she can call and take to. And if there isn’t someone that comes to mind, I pray you will place a person on her path to whom she can confide. To lighten the burden of carrying so much turmoil alone. You don’t want us to suffer alone and I pray with confidence and ask that you intervene. Reassure her you understand her completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” If you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your during this very tough time, I think you’ll find comfort with my devotional Whispers of Rest,which is fillled with beautiful promises for your heart. These are the verses and whispers that helped me when I was going through a very confusing and tough time emotionally, so I can experience His peace and calm in my body and in my heart. Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, a loving word and it gives you a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested.) Sending you love from CA to you, friend!
Dearest Lisa:
I stand with all
The loving others to direct your torn heart and run to Jesus – He really is the ABBA “daddy” who is waiting for you to sit on His lap and wrap you in His Loving embrace and kindness – He is the all-knowing and Compassionate Christ who is “well acquainted with YOUR grief” and He invites you to receive His Living and Loving Rest – His lavish Peace that He will pour into your soul . It is a Gentle Peace that he gives lavishly saying: “Lisa , My Peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give. Therefore, do not let your heart be troubled. Neither let it be dismayed.”
I think Jesus says I give you the Peace the world cannot five because there is no transaction necessary and there is no price. He is the Giver. He is the action. And we don’t need to stand in line (like at coffee counters where everyone is ordering a sandwich and all we need is a simple coffee – lol!) And you are never told the item is unavailable or out of stock. In fact, Christ’s stock is always availABLE and is abundantly beyond what WE (all who believe and receive Him) could hope for or imagine! This is the God who is ready to serve you – for free. From the Generous Grace and abundance of His Love.
I pray that you will seek Him and spend time with Him. Even if it is weeping and crying, He saves every tear and He is the First and Best First Aid.
Nothing the world can give you will last.
But every drop of peace and compassionate Love from the Saviour will and does result in healing – so my prayer for you and scripture is:
“Now, may the God of HOPE fill Lisa with all joy and peace in believing, that Lisa will abound in hope through the Power of the Holy Spirit.”
Bless you and may You lavish yourself in His Love and receive His Priceless “Peace that surpasses all understanding”
Thank you, Bonnie. God speaks directly to my soul through you! Continued blessings.
Thank you, Karen – for letting me know the words that touched my heart have touched yours. It blesses me and inspires me to keep writing and sharing from my soul. Thank you, friend!
Thanks for much for your healing words this morning! This is one thing I have been reminded of to give myself grace, a hard thing to learn when your a perfectionist. Learning to take time for soul rest and be still and feel his loving embrace. So thankful He never leaves us! Thank you for your beautiful post! I pray for Lisa and ask Lord to give her grace for today. May she feel your loving embrace as you are right there beside her. You know exactly what she needs may she feel your comfort and your peace. Amen.
Dear Darlene, thank you for your beautiful prayer for Lisa. It’s the kindness of kindred spirits who has walk the journey in an honest and loving with Jesus who can give us the gentleness we need, as sister in Christ. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Sooo beautiful, thank you.
Thank you, Melanie, for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. 🙂 May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Bonnie – a few months back I discovered your Whispers of Rest from our interaction here on inCourage. What a blessing it’s been! I’ve been slowly digesting this devotional all summer and learning to let the Lord love on my heart, heal my soul, and simply rest. It’s wooed my heart to understand being fully loved in simply ‘being’ in ways that I desperately needed. Thank you for taking the time and effort and having the courage to put your thoughts onto paper and into the world, ‘to comfort others with the comfort you have received’, to paraphrase scripture.
Dear Annie, thank you *so much* for letting me know that reading Whispers of Rest has been a source of God’s love to your heart – and I get goosebumps hearing that it is healing to your soul and to hear that it *wooed* you to a place of love within your heart – I am filled with gratitude, as fellow kindred and your loving sister-in-Christ. You are the beloved and now you’re life is forever etched with His whispers of love for you. And I am so thrilled with joy imagining all you and Jesus have experienced on your 40 day journey – and beyond. Your words inspire me to keep writing and sharing from the deep places in my soul. I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested in being part of a community of kindred spirits. 🙂 @thebonniegray sending you love from CA to you, Annie!
This is beautiful, and so interesting for me to read this morning because I realize now that this is what I’ve been experiencing this week – soul care. I have needed to quiet down, let down, stop planning, stop striving, and even stop responding-to-so-many-emails-trying-to-figure-out-everyone’s-schedule. In exchange, I need to just be. Today was the first day all week I didn’t cry on my drive in to work, but rather could revel in seeing how God is taking care of me and those that I love, even if it’s not going according to my perfect plan. I love when you said you shared your honest thoughts with God, not for Him to solve them but so that you could confide in Him. I realized I do that often- and I say to God, “I’m telling you these things because there is no one else I can tell” (without inflicting unnecessary pain, guilt and hurt because usually the problem is me and not them so I keep it between me and God.) Thank you for this gentle reminder today; it’s one I’ll come back to often.
Sweet Beth, thank you for sharing how God was whispering to you to rest and be gentle with yourself. It’s so wonderful that you felt affirmed in how you’ve been feeling and the Holy Spirit is reassuring you that what you desire is what He longs for your to experience: freedom in your heart to just be – His beloved and He can’t wait to hear all that’s on your heart, so you don’t have to carry it on your shoulders, and just lean into His heartbeat for you. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie
Bonnie,
Thank you for your thoughtful and God given words. As I deal with the anxieties of a lost job and lost income, I struggle with depression and lack of self worth. Yet just this morning God reminded me in Isaiah that He is in control and He sees me as beautiful. What helps? Last week after our part of the country endured rains upon rains upon rains, I was driving down a country road and God pointed out to me the beauty of the green trees, grasses and fields around me… so many beautiful shades of green, sparkling in the midst of summer’s heat as a result of those rains… who am I to worry when someone so mighty is in control?!
You’re words are so refreshing—-He is the shepherd of our souls. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience.
Thank you, Tracie, for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Thank you for your encouragement to connect to God’s gentle care, that it’s ok not to rush. I too suffer from depression and anxiety and this post was a blessing to me today.
Dear Naomi, thank you for sharing your journey through depression and anxiety so vulnerably here. I’m so happy these words lifted your soul with His peace. I think your heart will be encouraged by my blog post “Being Worried or Depressed Doesn’t Mean Your Faith is Flawed” http://thebonniegray.com/2017/10/being-worried-or-depressed-doesnt-mean-your-faith-is-flawed/ And if you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your soul care with God’s loving word, you may enjoy my devotional {Whispers of Rest} in mind. Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, based on Scripture, along with a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested @thebonniegray) My first book Finding Spiritual Whitespace tells the story (memoir-driven encouragement) of my healing journey through anxiety and depression. sending you love, Bonnie Gray
Bonnie, thank you!! Today is that day :(… I’m in tears writing but I’m relieved in a great way already reading your post.. taking a day at our lake… first time this unsettled summer.. praising God for His gentle love and will soak it up today! Blessings
Tears are beautiful like spring rain, refreshing the soul. Those tears are precious and falling into the hand of our loving Savior. I can only imagine all you’re journeying through, sweet Sadie! Thank you, Sadie, for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Thank you Michelle! “I would not talk like that to a friend”
Thank you Bonnie, I woke up this morning with so much noise in my thoughts. Feeling disappointed in myself and feel I keep falling into the same bad pattern and action. I forced myself to to praise God and thank Him for His love in spite of my failure. I put my worship songs on read His word and turn to incourage to find your beautiful and timely post. Blessings to you and my InCourage community.
Dar Carlyann, What a beautiful way to experience God’s gentle love – music is a very powerful language of the soul that God puts in our hearts. Thank you for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
I dearly loved reading this today. I too am going through depression and anxiety. This really started when my only son moved away 1,400 miles a year ago. I’m proud of him but never knew it would be so hard on me. Your pretty words really are a comfort to me. I know God is with me through this time in life. Thank you for giving me peace this morning.
Dear Teresa, thank you for sharing your journey through dperssion and anxiety so vulnerably here. I’m so happy these words lifted your soul with His peace. 🙂 I think you’ll may my blog post “Being Worried or Depressed Doesn’t Mean Your Faith is Flawed” http://thebonniegray.com/2017/10/being-worried-or-depressed-doesnt-mean-your-faith-is-flawed/ And if you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your soul care with God’s loving word, I think you’ll enjoy my devotional {Whispers of Rest}. Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, based on Scripture, along with a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested @thebonniegray) My first book Finding Spiritual Whitespace tells the story (memoir-driven encouragement) of my healing journey through anxiety and depression. sending you love, Bonnie Gray
Bonnie,
Your beautifully blended words were so soothing, thank-you for sharing them. When I was sitting at the dining room table staring out the window at the trees yesterday, my son said, “You look like you’ve just seen God:.” Although I didn’t, when I’m still enough, and take the time to pause, I can feel like a gentle breeze His comforting connection. That for me is the best way to be gentle with myself is to take the time to pause.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Sweet Penny, I can imagine how beautiful and at rest you looked – such that your son noticed and expressed it!! How blessed you are and your son is. To experience God, through a simple moment seeing the trees where God is at work, bringing life — like to your sou too. Thank you, Penny, for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Bonnie, thank you so much for this encouragement today. I had just woken up, had some terrible dreams and was beating myself up for lingering in bed this morning and then I read this message and wept. The words that melted my heart and brought me comfort were “God understands you….You are never too much for me.”
All my life that has been a lie that has battered, bruised and challenged my value- “you are too much….”
You are too intense
You are too much emotionally
You have too much baggage
You are too needy
You are just too much
I’m very thankful for the freedom and healing that I’ve found in the Lord Jesus Christ but I’m often reminded that I’m still very hard on myself with my own high expectations on myself. This message helped me to re-center my soul and have another honest cry and conversation with God.
Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration!
Rebecca
Sweet Rebecca, you are courageously blessing us as you share the lies that have wounded your heart, but they are released as you heard God’s loving whispers to you through today’s devotional. Thank you for taking time to pause for a visit this morning. If you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your soul care and self care,I think you’ll enjoy my devotional Whispers of Rest, Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, from Scripture, and it gives you a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested. @thebonniegray) sending you love, Bonnie Gray
Thank you, Bonnie. God has been teaching me not to beat myself up, because He doesn’t – in the way I talk to myself and otherwise. This was a beautiful reminder of the truth I need to hear daily.
Yes, be gentle with yourself. It’s a journey to blossom with God’s voice of love and Whispers of Rest. Thank you, Pearl, for taking time to pause and share. And to bless me with your hello. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
As a young child, growing up alone (one sib 14 years older), I utilized the quiet on the farm our family lived on, to express myself sometimes loudly and sometimes quietly. I sang my heart out with only the cows and birds as my audience but always always felt God’s presence. I wish I could say I walked with God all mylife but I can say that when I returned to Him and relearned to trust Him, I found I also returned to the quiet times and places to spill my heart and bare my soul to Him. In my most vulnerable moments I visualize seeing myself as a child sitting at His feet safe and secure as my Father is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us… Ephesians 3:20
Trust Him as if your life depends on it. It does!!!!!
I really loved reading your beautiful love story with God – that began on a farm and like the seasons bring us summer, fall, winter and spring, I loved seeing how spring returned to your heart, as Jesus has always walked by your side, His hand in yours. Thank you, Loretta, for taking time to pause for a visit. And to bless me with your hello. That little girl, that child is always forever beloved in God’s arms and it’s beautiful to get a glimpser of her here with us through your words. May God bless you with His special and renewing touch of his love, in His Whisper of Rest for you and with you. sending you love, Bonnie Gray thebonniegray.com
Bonnie, I am glad to find you. I have a long history of dealing with anxiety and depression, so it is wonderful to find a Christian voice that writes about these topics. Nature is where I feel find God’s presence and greatest peace as well. Thank you for reminding me of this gentle way to help myself.
Sweet Gretchen! This is one beautiful blessing of having shared words and our stories online – to find kindred spirits! 🙂 Thank you for taking time to share and say hello! You may enjoy my blog post “Being Worried or Depressed Doesn’t Mean Your Faith is Flawed” http://thebonniegray.com/2017/10/being-worried-or-depressed-doesnt-mean-your-faith-is-flawed/ And if you are looking for an more encouragement to cheer you on your soul care with God’s loving word, I think you’ll enjoy my devotional {Whispers of Rest}. Everyday gives you a word of affirmation from God, based on Scripture, along with a soul care challenge to do something loving for yourself, based on scientific research. I wrote it because I had to learn how to take care of myself with God’s gentle love. (I’m thinking of starting an online Instagram and Facebook video series on my book Whispers of Rest in the fall, if you’re interested @thebonniegray) My first book Finding Spiritual Whitespace tells the story (memoir-driven encouragement) of my healing journey through anxiety and depression.
I had one of those special moments yesterday when I paid attention to the stirring in my heart to walk outside and take a picture of the morning sun hitting the top of a crepe myrtle tree by my neighbor’s driveway as it caught my attention through my kitchen window. I could have gone on with more important things, but I am so glad I stopped to enjoy God’s unique gentle blessing for me.
Here is that photo and a short little prayer. http://www.kathycheek.com/2018/08/light-fall-on-me.html
Bonnie,
I, too, tend to be hard on myself. Make a mistake & I hear the lies “dumb, stupid, not enough”. We must combat those lies with truth. One way I do that is by listening to Christian Music & dancing in my kitchen. I just praise God for who He is & what He’s done. I go for walks or just have a quiet time in the shower. Tell Him what’s on my ind & how I messed up. Ask for forgiveness. The Bible says confession is good for the soul. God knows the true heart of each person. He wants us to admit our need for Him. Women, especially, need soul care desperately. Life gets hard & busy. We need to heed the Holy Spirit’s Whisper to slow down & rest. Priscilla Schirer had a Bible study “Breathe”. She states that God made the Sabbath for us. He freed us from slavery of sin. He commands us to take a Sabbath rest each week.
Loved your book Whispers of Rest. I highly recommend it to others.
Blessings 🙂
This post is a wonderful read to me, I feel for a long time that God is asking me to stop, breathe and be still. It is just so hard in my current situation, and i feel helpless at times and constantly being a mouse that runs that wheel. Lately I have had to really find ways to manage my stress and I am also struggling with that, and now ugly thoughts are entering my mind making me doubt my abilities, that I should give up, that I can’t handle situations. But every morning as I rush to drop the kids off and get to work, I am treated with a glorious sunrise just peaking above hills. It is breathtaking and it is beautiful, and no matter what crazy morning I have had, I am in awe and I feel God telling me he is magestic, and he is there. Every morning it is different, there can be bursts of coral coloured blazes and honey rays of sunshine, sometimes the sky is pastel lilac with streaks of dusky pink. For those few moments in my crazy busy life, God is showing me something beautiful, something bigger than I, and that I can give all my burdens to him and be still in his love and glory. This post just resonates with me and is another way to tell me I need to find that peace and love for my soul. Baby steps, but hopefully I will get there soon!
Thank-you for theses beautiful, healing words. So true.
It seems to me that Jesus practiced soul care when he left the needy crowds to be alone with the Father.
May we learn to follow his loving and perfect example.
Hi Bonnie, How did your fishing trip turn out? Sometimes, I just step outside in the evening, it has been 90 & 100, and the A/C keeps me happy, but I still like to see the sunset, the colors of the clouds after summer storm, the reds and pinks, or if it is later I watch the moon and look at the stars, knowing He spoke them into existence and knows their names. Prayers for those who commented, there is nothing He can’t help you with.
This world can be oh so noisy, our own condemnation only adding to the cacophony. But “God’s way of restoring the soul is very quiet.” Yes! Thank you for reminding us of God’s gentle love. xx
Thanks, Becky, for being a part of this experience of sharing out of the quiet places in our soul, by being a kindred spirit. I love your sensitive, ever-listening spirit to God’s voice. May you know how very beautiful and beloved you are, in the quiet moments of your day, and esp in the noisy moments, may His gentle touch, in the way you feel Him close to you, bring a warm smile to your heart, just as you so readily offer it to us and those around you. xo (thinking of you here in Northern Cal this morning, knowing you are in right near close south here #caligirl)
I saved this post as I knew I wanted to read it again. I identify with you in many ways. I too often get busy on my to-do list instead of dealing with my emotions. Thank you for writing from your heart. You touched mine, my friend. I used to go for walks around a lake when we owned a cabin up north in the cooler temperatures. Things are different now. But this summer we fixed up our back patio into a little oasis. I placed two hummingbird feeders and I love to observe them as they sip the sweet syrup. I sit here and talk to God. It helps me to wake up early and spend time here.