The Healthy Soul: Present with God
If you’ve spent much time here with me on the topic of soul care, you will quickly start to see a theme. So much of soul care is about paying attention. We often live at a frenetic pace and if we don’t we often fill our lives with noise. Noise from social media, news, podcasts, and other forms of media. When we are feeling overwhelmed we might go on a vacation or have a staycation where we fill our day with fun things only to hop back on our treadmill called life, shortly after.
While we may be enjoying or trying to enjoy the “good life” we still have that sinking feeling of discontent, stress, anxiety or depression.
Where have we gone amiss?
In all of our living, it is quite possible that we miss that which is the most life giving, enjoyable part of life: the presence of God.
If you are His child, you have been given the greatest promise known to man: “I will be with you always.” (Psalm 16:8, Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20)
Another interesting aspect to soul care is that it is always free, easy and available to all of God’s children. In addition, so many of the ways we can care for our soul are counter to our culture. Spending time with God can actually sound boring, unattainable or something we just don’t have time to do. None of that is true.
The truth is that being intentional about practicing the presence of God is life-giving, life-changing and priceless!
Being intentional to be with God opens your life up to greater love, peace and (en)joyment!
Here are some ways that you can begin to practice the presence of God:
Every day simply choose to direct your mind toward God. This can be challenging at first as we are used to thinking of other things, but over time you will find that you can actually train your mind to start thinking of God on its own. Ask God to help you.
Surround yourself with things that remind you of God. This can be as simple as post-it notes in the inside of your kitchen cabinets, on the bathroom mirror or in the car.
Memorize one or more Scriptures that speak of God’s presence or any Scripture that encourages you in general.
If you have a Bible reading routine, before you begin, invite God to be with you and direct your time. He is already with you, but I have found it powerful to give the invitation as a way of saying “I want to be with you, I want to know you are here with me.”
If you practice Sabbath, be intentional to spend time resting just in the presence of God.
When you pray, don’t end your prayer and move on about your day. Instead, keep the conversation open. You might even say, “I’ll talk to you more in the car, (or kitchen or bathroom or where it is you are going to be).” Before you know it, you will be talking to Him throughout your day without much thought or effort- it will become a habit.
Lastly, if you want a little more inspiration, check out the little book, “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. I recommend the modern version, HERE
As always, it is a great idea to start with God and ask Him how you might be better at being present in God’s presence.
I am confident you will find that growing in His presence makes all of life brighter, better and more as He intended it to be.
Here’s to enjoying His presence on our journey!
Valerie