The Ultimate Balm for Your Weary HeartSample

How the Warm Water Splashed

I remember the girl in the water. Do you know that I held you before you were born? My arms wrapped tight around you, my care for you perfect in your innocence. You know the story now: you struggle to hear me when you don’t believe I am good. You struggle to receive me when you don’t believe I am near. You are the daughter I held and still hold. I have never left you. I have always loved you. No matter what you’ve thought. No matter what you’ve said. No matter what you’ve done. 

You don’t need to guard your thoughts from me. You don’t need to hide or try to fix yourself up. Even in your weakness, you are beautiful to me. In the places you are most afraid, I want to restore you—show you the truth in you I’ve always seen.

You are not a disappointment, darling one. I have never turned away from you. I’ve always whispered to your heart. But it is now, in the laying down of who you were, that I speak. 

It’s time to drop the lies now. Time to lay down the regrets. It’s time to let my light shine in. I overcome all darkness. I will overwhelm you, restore you to what has always been my plan: beauty, and delight. You will be a daughter free and powerful. Unafraid. 

I have been with you in all moments, in all pain. My love for you has never wavered. You have fought a foolish fight, lived life as if it were a contest. 

That is over. 

Rest now in my arms. I am here. I hold you.

Exercise & Prayer

How we think God sees us shapes how we see Him. What words come to your mind when you think of God? Based upon your unique experience with Him, write down in a journal a list of words that describe His qualities, His personality, even how you imagine His appearance to be. (Don’t worry about what is “correct”; don’t try to guess the right answers from Scripture.) No censoring. No holding back. When you’re done, read it over and jot down personal experiences—a few words are fine—words that explain the reasoning behind the way you describe God. 

Next, take a deep breath—maybe even a walk—to clear your head. Then take another look at what you wrote down and read each word back to God. Talk to Him about what you think of Him. Share with Him each experience that explains, in your opinion, why you feel the way you do. 

Now surrender each one of those words to him. Ask Him to show you what is true and what is false about what you wrote. Look at your list again and be aware of which words feel a little “off” and which words feel true, even if you aren’t yet sure why. If you can, share your list with friends who love you and who love God. Have them do the activity, too, and then listen to God’s heart together. Ask the Holy Spirit to point you to Scripture that reveals the truth of God’s character. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you rewrite your list: Get out a blank piece of paper. Listen and write. Be patient. This might take a while—or it might take only a few minutes. Wait on Him. Listen.

Father, I confess I have not known you. I confess I have not feared you. I confess my pride—I have cared more about what other people think of me than about living the truth of who I am in your love. I surrender my heart and my mind to you, with my present, my future, and my past. I believe you come and redeem all things. I believe you redeem me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.